PBP Commentary

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

Holmes
vs
Marchand

181 cm
24
166 lbs
8 - 8 - 0

175 cm
23
168 lbs
8 - 6 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

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 8 - 8 - 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 8 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Brad Marchand!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, George Francis and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Marchand listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
A big left from Marchand misses.

Holmes gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Holmes using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Holmes will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Marchand up against the cage.
Holmes is pressed up against the cage. Marchand 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.
Marchand lands a two punch combo.
Some bone on bone action there as Marchand checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Marchand misses with a two punch combination.
Marchand throws a nice looking combination but Holmes bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Holmes throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No joy there for Marchand, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Marchand avoids a punch combination nicely.
Holmes bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Brad Marchand seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A looping hook to the body misses from Marchand. Holmes does a little dance to reset his feet.
Holmes goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Marchand throws a nice looking combination but Holmes bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Marchand misses with a double jab

and Holmes counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Marchand changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Holmes fights it off and pushes away nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holmes keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Marchand.
Holmes has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.

Holmes gets caught napping as Marchand dives in and scores a takedown. Holmes manages to retain guard.
Holmes on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Holmes tries to get out of the position.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Holmes looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Marchand stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Holmes swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Holmes controls Marchand momentarily but Marchand frees himself.
Marchand slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marchand throws an elbow but Holmes slips to the side and avoids it well.
Marchand wants to control but Holmes is keeping him busy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Holmes managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Marchand.
Marchand lands an elbow.

Marchand looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Marchand is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Holmes has escaped the position, nice work there.
Holmes takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marchand trying to control the action but Holmes is working from the bottom.

Marchand 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 is looking for a sweep.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Marchand trying to control the position but Holmes is working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brad Marchand dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Marchand closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Marchand.

Marchand gets a trip takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Marchand trying to pass the guard but Holmes defending well.
Marchand is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

Marchand is working for a kimura here but Holmes manages to reverse the position and he's now in Marchand's guard.
Marchand controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marchand is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Marchand trying to control the action but Holmes is working from the bottom.

Marchand is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Marchand perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Holmes blocking the ground and pound attempt from Marchand.
Marchand thows a huge punch but Holmes dodges it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marchand passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Holmes!
Brad Marchand has got the better of the ground game so far.
Marchand trying to control but Holmes is having none of it.
Marchand scores with a couple of good head shots there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Marchand goes for an armbar but Holmes turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Holmes.
Marchand is adopting a defensive guard.
Holmes tries to stand but Marchand is controlling from the bottom.
Marchand looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marchand has his hands on Holmes's head, controlling the position.
Marchand throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Marchand is adopting a defensive guard.

Alex Holmes has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Marchand takes a swing at Holmes's ribcage but misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Marchand shoots in but Holmes avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Holmes defending well as Marchand loads up on a big left hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brad Marchand showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Marchand moves into the clinch.
Marchand drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A frustrated look appears on Marchand's face as he tries to break the clinch.
The referee calls for Holmes to work.
Marchand swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Marchand has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Holmes avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Marchand avoids a wild elbow strike from Holmes.
Holmes is struggling to control the position.
Holmes wants to stall.
Marchand is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Alex Holmes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Brad Marchand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marchand has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Marchand has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Holmes seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Marchand can turn it around.
Marchand 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.
Holmes displaying some good clinch control by pressing Marchand up against the cage.
Holmes is defending well against a takedown attempt.
With the fighters up against the cage, Holmes throws an elbow but misses.
Holmes is trying to stall.
Marchand wants a takedown.
Marchand tries to circle away but Holmes has him pinned against the cage.
Marchand avoids a wild elbow strike from Holmes.
Holmes content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Marchand is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marchand looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Marchand misses with an elbow strike.
Holmes just leaning against Marchand, taking a breather.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Alex Holmes.
Holmes showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Marchand.
Holmes scores with a leg kick.
Marchand throws a hook but Holmes blocks it.

Marchand closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Marchand lands in his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marchand trying to control the position from guard on top but Holmes is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Holmes not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Marchand scoring with punches to the head and body.
Marchand tries to free his leg and advance position but Holmes is retaining full guard.
Marchand lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Holmes looking to control but Marchand passes into half guard.
Brad Marchand is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marchand keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Alex Holmes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Holmes is looking to escape.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Marchand wants to pass the guard but Holmes is defending well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Brad Marchand comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Marchand winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 27:30
Judge George Francis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:30

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