PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Alex Holmes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nick Lawless (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Holmes
vs
Lawless

181 cm
22
166 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

178 cm
20
160 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Knockout power

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 5 - 5 - 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 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nick Lawless!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Cecil Peabody and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
We've got one fighter who appears to only be looking to counter and the other not looking particularly aggressive either, so we could be in for a dull fight.
Holmes keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Lawless fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Holmes gets tackled into the cage by Lawless. Lawless maintains the clinch.
Lawless drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Alex Holmes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nick Lawless.
Lawless tries for a takedown but Holmes manages to get underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lawless takes an elbow to the temple.
Lawless changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Holmes fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Lawless shoots in for a double leg but Holmes sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Lawless gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Holmes counters by clinching up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Lawless is trying to pull guard but Holmes has him pressed against the cage.
Holmes stalls.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Holmes.

It looks like Nick Lawless has been cut.
Holmes has Lawless pressed against the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Alex Holmes.
Holmes avoids a kick to the body.
Lawless tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Holmes swivels and escapes.
Lawless shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Holmes counters by clinching up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A bit of stalling here from Holmes.
Lawless has Holmes pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Holmes manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Lawless is trying to pull guard but Holmes has him pressed against the cage.
Holmes with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Lawless drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Holmes taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Holmes lands a damaging elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Holmes dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Nick Lawless's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Lawless shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Holmes pinned against the cage. Holmes gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Holmes takes the fight into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A bit of stalling here from Holmes.
Lawless tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Holmes avoids it.
Holmes connects with a knee to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holmes lands a nice elbow.
Nice elbow from Holmes.

That has opened up Nick Lawless's cut even more.
Lawless is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Holmes gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Holmes has Lawless pressed against the cage.
Holmes is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Alex Holmes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nick Lawless.
Holmes unloads a knee to the mid-section.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Holmes.
Holmes is pressed up against the cage. Lawless 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 two minutes gone in the round.
Lawless shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Holmes defends it nicely.
Lawless shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Holmes as he avoids it easily.
Lawless gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Holmes counters with a stiff right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lawless misses with a takedown attempt
and Holmes counters with a one-two to the body.
Alex Holmes is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Lawless fails with the takedown.
Lawless fails with a takedown attempt.
Holmes stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Holmes wants it to stay on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lawless gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Holmes counters with a slapping leg kick.

Holmes fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Lawless, pushing him back against the cage.
Lawless tries to score a body lock takedown but Holmes shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Lawless wants to take the fight to the mat but Holmes manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Stalling in the clinch from Holmes.
Lawless tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Holmes lands a nice elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Holmes dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Nick Lawless's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Lawless closes the distance and clinches.
Lawless is trying to drag Holmes to the mat but Holmes just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Alex Holmes has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Holmes manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Lawless throws an elbow but it misses.
Lawless wants a takedown but no success here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holmes is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Holmes seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Alex Holmes.
Holmes keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Alex Holmes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nick Lawless.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lawless has a takedown stuffed.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Lawless.

Lawless clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lawless has Holmes pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Holmes manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Holmes just leaning against Lawless, taking a breather.
Lawless using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Holmes has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Nick Lawless has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Holmes stalling the fight.
The crowd are getting pretty annoyed with Holmes for his constant stalling in the clinch and are voicing their displeasure.
Lawless is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Holmes gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lawless is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Holmes pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Holmes taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Lawless wants a takedown but no success here.
Holmes controlling the action here for a moment.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Alex Holmes.
Lawless gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Holmes counters by moving into the clinch.
Alex Holmes is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Lawless fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Lawless has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Holmes avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Alex Holmes.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Holmes, 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 30:27

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