PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Thiago Holmes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt Sanzig (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Matt Sanzig is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Holmes
vs
Sanzig

168 cm
22
130 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

160 cm
22
139 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Attliction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Thiago Holmes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Matt Sanzig!
The judges for this bout are Damien Edna, Winston Howard and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Holmes fails with a takedown attempt.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Holmes.

Sanzig gets the takedown into side control.

Sanzig looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
You can see the frustration on Holmes's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Sanzig working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Sanzig working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Sanzig in side control lands a decent elbow.
Sanzig scoring with punches and elbows.

Sanzig tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Holmes struggling a bit here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Sanzig scores with a body shot.
Holmes fails with the takedown

and Sanzig counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thiago Holmes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sanzig won't allow Holmes to sweep him here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanzig wants to pass the guard but Holmes is keeping the position.
Holmes can't keep his opponent in guard - Sanzig advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Sanzig is working for a kimura but Holmes is defending it quite comfortably.
Sanzig looks gassed!
Holmes wants to get back to full guard.
Holmes is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Sanzig's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Sanzig's back!
Holmes 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.
Sanzig tries to escape the position.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Holmes controlling the positon.
Holmes has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Thiago Holmes just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Sanzig fakes the leg kick and cracks Holmes in the body.
A right-left combo lands from Sanzig.
Sanzig ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

Sanzig looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Holmes manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Sanzig manages to get himself to full guard.

Sanzig is looking for a triangle here but Holmes uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Sanzig misses with a strike from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Sanzig's face as Holmes controls the position.
Sanzig is not content to let Holmes control the position.
Sanzig is looking to regain half guard here but Holmes keeps moving and retains side control.
Sanzig gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Sanzig moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Holmes avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Holmes wants to control from the top but Sanzig keeps moving.

Sanzig is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

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.
Holmes advances to half guard.

Sanzig actively working from the bottom here.

Sanzig looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Sanzig wants to get back to full guard.
Sanzig tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Sanzig tries to get to full guard but Holmes has control of the leg.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Holmes takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Holmes takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Sanzig lands a nice looking kick to the body. Holmes takes a step back to recover.
Holmes takes a shot to the body in his stride.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sanzig changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Sanzig cracks a nice hook into Holmes's ribs.
Holmes with a lazy takedown attempt

and Sanzig counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Holmes looking for a sweep. Not yet Holmes, not yet.
Sanzig loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Sanzig dominated that round.
That's time! Holmes's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Holmes fails with the takedown
and Sanzig counters with a left to the body.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Holmes fails with a takedown attempt.
Holmes with a lazy takedown attempt
and Sanzig counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thiago Holmes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Holmes takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Sanzig lands a nice shot to the body.
Holmes shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Sanzig counters with a left to the body.
Holmes will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Holmes closes the distance and clinches up with Sanzig, looking for a takedown. Holmes pushes Sanzig against the cage but Sanzig circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Sanzig is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Holmes rather than just go for the knockout.

Sanzig changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Holmes looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Holmes gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Holmes wants to control but Sanzig is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Sanzig seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Holmes does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Holmes moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Sanzig drops back looking for a leg! Holmes is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Holmes manages to kick Sanzig off! Sanzig jumps back into Holmes's guard.
Sanzig lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Sanzig thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sanzig wants to control from the top but Holmes keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanzig throws a big right hand that misses.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Holmes takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Sanzig lands a right hook to the body.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Holmes. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Sanzig thuds his shin into the meat of Holmes's side.
Thiago Holmes is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Holmes shoots in for a takedown but Sanzig shows good takedown defense.
Holmes closes the distance and clinches up with Sanzig, looking for a takedown. Holmes pushes Sanzig against the cage but Sanzig circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Sanzig fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Holmes looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

Sanzig shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Holmes has control of Sanzig's left arm, preventing Sanzig from doing any damage.
Holmes looking to control.

Sanzig drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Holmes dives on top into guard.
Sanzig is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Holmes wants to control from the top but Sanzig keeps moving.

Sanzig looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Sanzig escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Holmes gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holmes is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sanzig is trying to control the position but Holmes postures up.

Holmes avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Sanzig trying to strike off his back.

Holmes avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Sanzig is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Holmes avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Holmes avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Sanzig bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Holmes's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holmes lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Sanzig!
Holmes controlling the position easily from mount.
Holmes tries to control but Sanzig wriggling away.
Sanzig tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Holmes looking to control but Sanzig is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Sanzig tries to reverse the position but Holmes maintains control.
Sanzig is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Sanzig is squirming around, avoiding Holmes's attempts to control the action.
Sanzig is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Holmes can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Sanzig is looking to escape.
Sanzig throwing hammer fists to the chest of Holmes. What's that going to do exactly?
Holmes prevents Sanzig from getting the reversal.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Holmes looking to control but Sanzig is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Holmes pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Sanzig is looking to improve his position but Holmes isn't that keen on the idea.
Holmes sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Sanzig showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Sanzig scores with a body shot.
Sanzig lands a slapping body shot.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Holmes.
Holmes takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Sanzig ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Holmes tries for a takedown but Sanzig circles away easily
and Sanzig counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Holmes misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thiago Holmes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sanzig throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Holmes closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Holmes lands in his opponent's guard.
Matt Sanzig has got the better of the ground game so far.

Sanzig is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Sanzig is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Sanzig has an active guard here but Holmes has managed to pass into half guard.
Sanzig is refusing to be controlled, as Holmes sits in half guard.
Holmes takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holmes trying to control the action but Sanzig is working from the bottom.
Sanzig gets back to full guard.
Sanzig looking to hit a scissor sweep but Holmes is one step ahead there.
Holmes pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sanzig is keeping the position for now.
Holmes trying to control the position from guard on top but Sanzig is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Holmes showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Thiago Holmes just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Sanzig pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nice takedown defense from Sanzig. No joy for Holmes on that attempt.
Thiago Holmes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two 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.
Sanzig misses with a body kick.
Holmes shoots in looking for a takedown. Sanzig tries to sprawl out of it but Holmes keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Sanzig manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Holmes fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Holmes closes the distance and clinches up with Sanzig, looking for a takedown. Holmes pushes Sanzig against the cage but Sanzig circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Holmes takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Holmes shoots in for a takedown but Sanzig shows good takedown defense.
Holmes shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Sanzig pinned against the cage. Sanzig gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Holmes scores with a takedown into Sanzig's guard.

Sanzig working for a triangle but Holmes defends it easily.
Holmes is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Holmes wants to control from the top but Sanzig keeps moving.
Holmes pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sanzig is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sanzig has his foot on Holmes's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Holmes works his way back into a safe position though.

Sanzig is looking for a triangle here but Holmes uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Holmes is looking to take a break and control but Sanzig is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Sanzig sneaks back into half guard.
Holmes trying to control the action but Sanzig is working from the bottom.
Sanzig wants to improve his position but Holmes is controlling well.
Sanzig flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Sanzig makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Sanzig.
Holmes is pushing down on Sanzig's leg trying to pass to half guard. Sanzig is fighting to maintain full guard but Holmes has managed to sneak the leg through.
Holmes is keen to just control but Sanzig is a slippery customer.
Holmes is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanzig working to try and regain half guard.
Holmes controlling his opponent.
Sanzig is trying to escape the mount.
Holmes controlling the pace for now.
Sanzig is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Holmes controlling from mount.
Sanzig is trying to escape the mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thiago Holmes showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Sanzig 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 Damien Edna scores the fight 28:29
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 28:29
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matt Sanzig!