PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Alex Holmes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brock Xavior (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Alex Holmes has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Holmes
vs
Xavior

181 cm
19
166 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

180 cm
24
160 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alex Holmes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Brock Xavior!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Daniel Franklin and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Xavior takes a swing at Holmes's ribcage but misses.
Xavior shoots in looking for a takedown but Holmes manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Xavior's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Xavior 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.
Xavior tries for a takedown but Holmes circles away easily
and Holmes counters with a low kick, right behind Xavior 's knee.
Xavior 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 Xavior off to one side.
Alex Holmes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Brock Xavior.
Xavior will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Xavior.
Brock Xavior seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Xavior throws a body kick that misses

and Holmes holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Holmes has hold of one of Xavior's legs. Xavior is fighting the takedown attempt but Holmes gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Xavior is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Holmes defends well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holmes trying to control but Xavior is working from the bottom.
Xavior has his hands on Holmes's head, controlling the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Xavior avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Xavior has a closed guard, preventing Holmes from standing up.

Xavior 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.
Holmes wants to stand but Xavior has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Holmes wants to control from the top but Xavior keeps moving.
Xavior is looking to stand up but Holmes isn't so interested in that idea.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Alex Holmes.

Xavior gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Nice elbow from Holmes.
Xavior tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Holmes smiles and moves away.
Holmes cracks the inside of Xavior's front leg.
Xavior fails to land the takedown.

Xavior closes the distance and clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Xavior is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Holmes goes for a takedown in the clinch but Xavior prevents it.
Holmes taking a breather.
Xavior takes an elbow to the temple.
Holmes lands a damaging elbow.
Holmes lands a nice elbow.

Holmes escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Xavior shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Holmes as he jumps to the side.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Holmes displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Xavior.
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 Alex Holmes will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Xavior looks for a takedown but Holmes sprawls well.

Xavior moves into the clinch.
Xavior takes an elbow to the temple.
Holmes content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Holmes has Xavior pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Xavior manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Holmes is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Xavior can't fight it off and eventually Holmes manages to take the fight to the floor. Xavior looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Xavior is looking to stand up but Holmes isn't so interested in that idea.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Xavior not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Brock Xavior was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Holmes forces Xavior back against the cage and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xavior tries to break free but Holmes pushes him back against the cage.
Holmes holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Holmes comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Holmes lands an elbow that stopped Xavior in his tracks for a moment.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Holmes.
Holmes landing knees to the body.
Holmes lands a damaging elbow.
Xavior prevents the takedown attempt.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Holmes's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Xavior is trying to pull guard but Holmes turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Holmes connects with a nasty looking knee right to Xavior's face.
Xavior is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holmes utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Holmes creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Xavior's defenses.
Xavior is trying to break free.

Xavior is fighting off a takedown attempt but Holmes is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Xavior to the mat. Xavior regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Holmes is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Xavior wants to stand but Holmes is controlling the position.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Xavior avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holmes wants to control from the top but Xavior keeps moving.
Holmes has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Alex Holmes wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Xavior misses with a body kick.
Xavior misses with a combination

and Holmes holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Holmes's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Holmes closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Xavior takes an elbow to the temple.
Xavior tries a knee to the head but Holmes blocks it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Holmes keeps control of Xavior as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Holmes dominated that second 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. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Xavior shoots for a takedown but Holmes saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Xavior throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Holmes counters with an inside leg kick.

Holmes gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Holmes lands a nice knee to the body.
Holmes slowing the pace effectively.
Holmes gets a warning from the ref for wasting time.
Holmes tries to score a body lock takedown but Xavior shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Holmes can't get the takedown.

Holmes escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Horrible takedown by Xavior or perhaps it was just good defense by Holmes which made him look bad.
Holmes looks to land a combination. Xavior sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holmes showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Xavior.
Xavior shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Holmes as he avoids it easily.
Alex Holmes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Brock Xavior.
Xavior takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
No luck for Xavior with that takedown attempt.

Holmes closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Xavior takes an elbow to the temple.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Holmes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holmes lands an elbow inside.
Holmes lands a nice elbow.
Xavior gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Holmes.
Nice elbow from Holmes.
Nice elbow from Holmes.
Holmes lands an elbow inside that Xavior shrugs off.
Holmes lands an elbow that stopped Xavior in his tracks for a moment.

Holmes breaks the clinch.
Xavior shoots in for a double leg but Holmes sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Holmes leaves Xavior with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Xavior has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xavior is trying to pull guard but Holmes turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Alex Holmes has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Holmes dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
A knee to the head by Holmes.

Xavior is rocked!
Holmes lands an elbow inside.
Xavior is still on wobbly legs! Can Holmes finish him?

Holmes turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Holmes manages to end up in side control.
Holmes staying calm.
Holmes wants to control but Xavior is keeping him busy.
A lull in the action here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holmes is looking to take a break and control but Xavior is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Xavior seems to have recovered his senses.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

We're going to have a standup here because Alex Holmes wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
A right-left combo lands from Holmes.
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!

Holmes has taken the fight to the clinch.
Alex Holmes is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Xavior has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Holmes uses from the top position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Holmes trying to control but Xavior is working from the bottom.
Holmes is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Xavior is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alex Holmes showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Holmes has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alex Holmes!