PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Sync Fowler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alex Holmes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Fowler
vs
Holmes

210 cm
27
156 lbs
13 - 8 - 0

181 cm
21
166 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Experienced

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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 13 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sync Fowler!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alex Holmes!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Daniel Franklin and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Fowler gets a double leg takedown into Holmes's guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Fowler is looking to pass into half guard but Holmes pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Holmes is in guard.
Holmes wants to get up but he can't break Fowler's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Fowler holds on and takes a little breather.
Fowler is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Fowler wants to free his trapped foot but Holmes is holding on for dear life with his legs.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fowler passes to side control.

Fowler thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holmes is not content to let Fowler control the position.
Fowler throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Holmes is looking for a sweep.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Holmes can do anything to dispel that myth.

Fowler thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Fowler will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Fowler is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Holmes has escaped the position, nice work there.
Holmes manages to get back to half guard.
Holmes really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Fowler. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Fowler trying to control from half guard but Holmes is working away.
Holmes avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Fowler.
Fowler moves nicely into side control.
Check out the look on Fowler's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fowler wants to control but Holmes is keeping him busy.

Fowler is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Holmes is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Holmes gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!

Fowler swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Holmes is now in Fowler's guard. A big mistake from Fowler there, giving up the dominant position!
Holmes wants to stand but Fowler is controlling his posture from full guard.
Holmes must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Fowler 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.
Fowler really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Fowler is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Holmes defends well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Holmes wanted to stand there but Fowler had control of the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sync Fowler dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Fowler shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Holmes is trying to defend but Fowler finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Fowler is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Holmes sees it coming and defends easily.

Fowler is looking for a kimura here.

Fowler looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Fowler wants to lay and pray for a moment but Holmes keeps working.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holmes is looking to improve his position.

Fowler is trying to work for a kimura but Holmes is defending well.
Fowler not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's two 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.
Fowler wants to take a breather but Holmes is having none of it.

Fowler is working for a submission of some sort.
Fowler not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Fowler is working for a submission of some sort.
Fowler with the ground and pound but Holmes uses the opportunity to regain guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Fowler drops back looking for a leg! Holmes is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Holmes manages to kick Fowler off! Fowler jumps back into Holmes's guard.
Holmes looking to hit a scissor sweep but Fowler is one step ahead there.

Fowler drops back looking for a leg! Holmes is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Holmes manages to kick Fowler off! Fowler jumps back into Holmes's guard.
Fowler trying to control the position from guard on top but Holmes is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Fowler thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Fowler showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Fowler working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sync Fowler dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Fowler shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Holmes but Holmes pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Fowler shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Holmes moves into the clinch.
Holmes leaning against his opponent.
Holmes is pressed up against the cage. Fowler has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Holmes down to the mat. Holmes avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sync Fowler. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Fowler.
Fowler shoots in for a takedown but Holmes shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Fowler shoots in for a takedown but Holmes shows good takedown defense.
Holmes tries to clinch but Fowler is having none of it.
Fowler shoots in looking for a takedown but Holmes manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Fowler's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Alex Holmes is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Fowler has a takedown stuffed.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Fowler shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Holmes but Holmes pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fowler looks for a takedown but Holmes sprawls well.
Fowler shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Holmes holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Fowler drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Fowler has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Holmes after a bit of a struggle.
Fowler takes a knee right on the jaw!
Holmes is struggling to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fowler has Holmes pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Holmes manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Holmes is pushing Fowler up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Fowler is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Holmes controlling the action here for a moment.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Alex Holmes.
Fowler shoots in but no luck this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fowler shoots in looking for a takedown. Holmes tries to sprawl out of it but Fowler keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Holmes manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Fowler has a takedown stuffed.
Fowler with a lazy takedown attempt

and Holmes counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
The referee is keeping an eye on Holmes - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Holmes lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Fowler tries for a takedown but Holmes manages to get underhooks.
Fowler tries for a takedown. No joy.
Fowler is looking to take this one to the mat.
Holmes is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on Holmes's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
Alex Holmes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Holmes lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Holmes stops a takedown attempt from Fowler.
Fowler takes an elbow to the forehead.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Holmes takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Sync Fowler is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alex Holmes comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Fowler 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sync Fowler!
Sync Fowler thanked the fans post fight for their support.