PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rob Holmes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Emils Zalkalns (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zalkalns has chosen Gangam style as his entrance music. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Holmes
vs
Zalkalns

200 cm
25
170 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

182 cm
23
180 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Rob Holmes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Emils Zalkalns!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Phil Schofield and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Zalkalns gets tackled into the cage by Holmes. Holmes maintains the clinch.
Holmes wants to stall.
Holmes jumps guard but Zalkalns stands there with Holmes around his waist. Holmes gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Holmes manages to break the clinch.
Zalkalns shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Holmes rushes Zalkalns and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Holmes wants a takedown but no success here.
Zalkalns is trying to maintain a safe position but Holmes gets an underhook and turns Zalkalns into the cage.

Holmes breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Horrible takedown by Zalkalns or perhaps it was just good defense by Holmes which made him look bad.
Zalkalns tries to score a power double leg takedown but Holmes sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Zalkalns somewhat.
Rob Holmes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Emils Zalkalns.
Zalkalns throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Holmes's waist but Holmes gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Zalkalns off to one side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holmes shoots in for a takedown but Zalkalns shows good takedown defense.
Holmes shoots in looking for a takedown but Zalkalns manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Holmes's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Zalkalns has closed the distance and engaged Holmes in a clinch.
Zalkalns is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Holmes gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Zalkalns.

Holmes jumps guard.
Zalkalns is stalling in the full guard.
Zalkalns must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Zalkalns trying to control but Holmes is working from the bottom.
Holmes really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holmes is trying to keep Zalkalns in close.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Emils Zalkalns was stalling too much, according to the referee.
A nice inside leg kick there by Holmes. That's going to slow Zalkalns down.
Zalkalns looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Holmes is fending him off so far but Zalkalns persists. Nope, Holmes circles away and we're back to standing.
Holmes shoots in but Zalkalns avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Holmes throws a nice head kick!
Holmes shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Zalkalns but Zalkalns pushes him off and we're back to square one.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Holmes wants to clinch but Zalkalns slips to the side
and Zalkalns counters with a series of strikes. Holmes will be more careful next time no doubt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holmes shoots in but no luck this time.
Holmes tries to clinch there but Zalkalns circles away.

Holmes has Zalkalns up against the cage in a clinch.

Holmes breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Zalkalns misses with a straight left.
Holmes misses with a takedown attempt - Zalkalns sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Zalkalns tries for a takedown but Holmes sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Holmes shoots in looking for a takedown. Zalkalns tries to sprawl out of it but Holmes keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Zalkalns manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Holmes is breathing heavily.
Zalkalns leaves Holmes with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Zalkalns clinches with his opponent.
Zalkalns stops a takedown attempt from Holmes.

Holmes escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Zalkalns swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Holmes.
Zalkalns closes this distance looking for a takedown but Holmes circles away.
Zalkalns shoots in but Holmes avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Zalkalns throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Holmes's waist but Holmes gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Zalkalns off to one side.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zalkalns shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Holmes sprawls well. Holmes wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Zalkalns gets slowly back to his feet.

Holmes has managed to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Rob Holmes will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Holmes fails with a takedown attempt.
Rob Holmes is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Zalkalns tries to score a power double leg takedown but Holmes sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Zalkalns somewhat.
Zalkalns shoots in but Holmes avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Holmes gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Zalkalns jumps guard but Holmes stands there with Zalkalns around his waist. Zalkalns gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Rob Holmes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Emils Zalkalns.

Holmes manages to break the clinch.
Zalkalns will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Zalkalns displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Holmes.

Zalkalns clinches up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Holmes breaks the clinch.
Zalkalns fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Zalkalns shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Holmes sprawls well. Holmes wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Zalkalns gets slowly back to his feet.
Zalkalns is breathing heavily.
Zalkalns throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Holmes's waist but Holmes gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Zalkalns off to one side.

Zalkalns gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Holmes breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Holmes pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Holmes keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Holmes tries to clinch up but Zalkalns circles away and keeps his distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holmes shoots in looking for a takedown. Zalkalns tries to sprawl out of it but Holmes keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Zalkalns manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Zalkalns fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Holmes looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Zalkalns avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Holmes has Zalkalns up against the cage in a clinch.

Holmes pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Holmes stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Holmes wants it to stay on the feet.
Nice takedown defense from Holmes. No joy for Zalkalns on that attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zalkalns takes a kick to the side of the head.
Holmes closes this distance looking for a takedown but Zalkalns circles away.
Holmes will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Zalkalns moves into the clinch successfully.
Holmes stalls.

Holmes breaks the clinch.
Holmes wants to clinch up but Zalkalns keeps it at a distance.
Holmes changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Zalkalns tries to avoid it but Holmes manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Zalkalns to the ground. Zalkalns escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Zalkalns shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Holmes but Holmes pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Zalkalns is looking to chop away at Holmes's legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Zalkalns forces Holmes back against the cage and clinches.
Zalkalns tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Holmes just stands there and leans against the cage.
Holmes unloads a knee to the mid-section. Zalkalns lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

Holmes breaks the clinch.
Holmes fails with an attempt to clinch.

Zalkalns drives through and clinches with Holmes against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zalkalns taking a breather.
Holmes wants a takedown.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Holmes breaks the clinch.
Holmes scores with a nice body kick.
Holmes tries to close the distance and clinch up but Zalkalns swats him away and circles back towards the center.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rob Holmes dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Zalkalns shoots in but Holmes avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Zalkalns fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Holmes tries for a takedown but Zalkalns sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Holmes.
Holmes blocks a head kick by Zalkalns.
Zalkalns fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Rob Holmes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Emils Zalkalns.

Holmes closes the distance and pushes Zalkalns back into the cage.
Zalkalns takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Zalkalns just misses with a elbow thrown towards Holmes's brow.
Zalkalns works on Holmes's body with a couple of short punches.
Zalkalns jumps guard but Holmes stands there with Zalkalns around his waist. Zalkalns gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zalkalns drops down looking for an ankle pick but Holmes pulls his leg out and moves away.
Holmes shoots for a double leg takedown but Zalkalns sprawls well. He's pushed Holmes's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Holmes tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Holmes rushes Zalkalns and presses him up against the cage.
Zalkalns prevents a takedown attempt there.
Zalkalns scores with a shoulder strike.
Holmes lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Zalkalns drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Holmes gets the underhooks and prevents it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zalkalns tries to circle away but Holmes has him pinned against the cage.
Holmes goes for a takedown attempt but Zalkalns pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Holmes fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Zalkalns avoids it really well and circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Holmes looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Holmes fails to land the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zalkalns pushes Holmes up against the cage in a clinch.
Zalkalns tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Holmes tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Zalkalns avoids it.

Holmes breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Holmes has a takedown stuffed.

Zalkalns decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Zalkalns perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

Zalkalns decides to stand up.

Holmes clinches with his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zalkalns wants to stall.
Holmes has Zalkalns pressed against the cage, preventing Zalkalns from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Zalkalns tries for a takedown. No joy.
Holmes swings wildly with an uppercut but Zalkalns uses good head movement to avoid it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zalkalns jumps guard but Holmes stands there with Zalkalns around his waist. Zalkalns gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Holmes goes for a takedown attempt but Zalkalns pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Zalkalns blocks a head kick by Holmes.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Emils Zalkalns.
I think Holmes 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 James Glass scores the fight 29:28
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Rob Holmes!