PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Kesamies Piispa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joshua Holloway (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Piispa
vs
Holloway

210 cm
22
145 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

175 cm
20
155 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Good knees
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Kesamies Piispa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Joshua Holloway!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Aleksandr Martynov and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Piispa fails in his attempt to clinch.
Piispa tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Holloway paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Holloway fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Holloway throws a sloppy head kick and Piispa moves out of range easily.
Piispa tries to close the distance and clinch up but Holloway swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Piispa lands with an overhand left.
The fight stays on the outside here - Piispa looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Piispa fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Holloway, pushing him back against the cage.

Piispa breaks from the clinch.
Holloway tries to close the distance and clinch but Piispa swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Holloway wants to clinch up but Piispa keeps it at a distance.
Holloway throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Holloway closes the distance and clinches.
Piispa prevents Holloway from breaking the clinch.
A shot in the inside from Piispa.
A knee to the head by Piispa.
Holloway cracks Piispa with a nice body shot.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Piispa as Holloway tries to tie him up.
Holloway wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Holloway tries to pull guard but Piispa holds him up against the cage and eventually Holloway drops back down to his feet.
Piispa gets through Holloway's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Piispa is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Piispa throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Holloways head.
A knee to the head by Piispa.
Holloway wants to break free but Piispa has control.
Piispa wants to break free but Holloway has control.
A body shot lands from Piispa.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Piispa with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Holloway digs a right hand into Piispa's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Piispa's gas tank.
Holloway has had enough of the clinch but Piispa keeps him there for the moment.
Piispa lands a body punch.
Holloway's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A short left from Holloway.
Piispa connects with a nasty looking knee right to Holloway's face.
A knee to the head by Piispa.
Piispa with a knee to the head.
Piispa throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Piispa is breathing heavily.
Holloway blocking some punches.
A knee to the head by Piispa.
Piispa with a knee to the head.
Holloway lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Piispa or not.
Holloway is working Piispa over against the cage.
Good body shot from Holloway.
Holloway takes an elbow to the forehead.
Holloway lands a body shot.
Piispa trying to stall but Holloway improves his position.
Holloway is struggling to control the position.
Piispa wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Piispa throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Holloway lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Piispa looking to throw knees to the head but Holloway is blocking nicely.
Holloway lands a nice shot to the body.
Nice body punch from Holloway - that landed with a thud.

Holloway breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kesamies Piispa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holloway throws a right and a left that Piispa avoids nicely.
Holloway throws a series of punches but Piispa moves out of range.
Holloway misses with a wild combination.
Piispa dodges the punch combination from Holloway.
Piispa tests Holloway's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Piispa tries to clinch but Holloway is having none of it.
Holloway gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Piispa.
Holloway is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Holloway walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
The fighters circle momentarily. Piispa darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Piispa fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Piispa slips a jab and a cross from Holloway.
Piispa tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Holloway throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Piispa fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Holloway!
Piispa throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

Holloway drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Holloway stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Piispa tries to clinch up but Holloway circles away and keeps his distance.
Piispa connects with the punch.
Piispa throws a nice head kick!
Holloway swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Piispa connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Piispa misses with a two punch combination.

Holloway takes the fight into the clinch.
Holloway is trying to break the clinch but Piispa has him pressed against the cage.

Piispa pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Holloway misses with a double jab.
No joy there for Holloway, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Piispa goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Holloway swinging wilding here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holloway looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Piispa lands with a kick to the temple. Holloway shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

Holloway forces Piispa back against the cage and clinches.
Piispa connects with a knee to the head.
Holloway lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Piispa is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Holloway is trying to maintain a safe position but Piispa gets an underhook and turns Holloway into the cage.
Piispa tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Piispa misses with an elbow over the top.

Holloway breaks the clinch.
Piispa wants to clinch

and Holloway decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Piispa's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Holloway stands up from Piispa's guard - Holloway perhaps looking for a knockout.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Holloway!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Piispa rushes Holloway and presses him up against the cage.
Piispa really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Holloway lands a body punch in the clinch.
Piispa is trying to break free.

Holloway escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joshua Holloway dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Holloway scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Holloway controls the position.
Piispa tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Holloway wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Holloway decides to stand up, so the ref orders Piispa to his feet.
Piispa throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Holloway tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Piispa paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Holloway closes the distance and clinches.

Piispa breaks the clinch.
A punch combination from Holloway misses.
Holloway swats away the attempt to clinch by Piispa.
Piispa is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Holloway gets a takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Holloway escapes and gets back to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Piispa throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Holloway's head.
Piispa checks a low kick from Holloway.
Kesamies Piispa is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Holloway closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Piispa is looking to break free of the clinch but Holloway has double underhooks.
Piispa throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Holloway blocks it with crossed arms.
A right hand to the body from Holloway.
Piispa tries a knee to the head but Holloway blocks it.
Piispa tries to break the clinch but Holloway is controlling the position.

Holloway manages to break the clinch.
Piispa tries to clinch

and Holloway counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Piispa is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Holloway is controlling him.

Holloway decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Piispa lets loose with a powerful body kick. Holloway will feel that in the morning.
Holloway jabs at Piispa's body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holloway misses with a wild combination.
Piispa looks to land a combination. Holloway sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Holloway.
You can see the frustration on Piispa's face as Holloway controls the position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Holloway decides to stand back up. Holloway steps back and let's Piispa get back to his feet.
Holloway avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A head kick from Piispa lands but Holloway takes it in his stride.
Piispa uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Holloway.
Holloway is looking to clinch but Piispa is avoiding it.
A slapping body kick lands there for Piispa.
Piispa wants to clinch.
Holloway throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Both fighters circling a little - Piispa finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holloway scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Piispa cracks a nice hook into Holloway's ribs.
Holloway misses with a few strikes there.
Piispa catches Holloway with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Holloway misses with a combination
and Piispa cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Piispa lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Holloway misses with a jab, cross combination.
Holloway throws a right and a left that both miss.
Piispa works over Holloway's head and body with a nice combination.
Piispa avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Piispa ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Holloway misses with a two punch combination.
Holloway falls off balance throwing a combination
and Piispa counters with a left and a right that stings Holloway.
Piispa connects with a high kick.
Piispa throws a big shot that misses.
Piispa avoids a punch combination nicely.

Piispa gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A right handed body shot lands from Holloway.
Piispa lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Holloway or not.
Holloway blocks an elbow strike.
Piispa gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Holloway.
Piispa is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Piispa lands a left hand.
Piispa wants to get back to striking at distance but Holloway won't allow it.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Piispa breaks from the clinch.

Holloway closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Holloway stands up from half guard.
Holloway misses with a series of wild punches.
Holloway misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Piispa throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Holloway.

Piispa instigates a clinch.
Piispa can't break the clinch.
Holloway wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Piispa takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joshua Holloway showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Piispa tries a head kick but it misses.
Holloway moves in looking to clinch but Piispa pushes him off.
Holloway swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Piispa cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Piispa lands with a slapping head kick.
Piispa tries to bum rush Holloway with a series of wild strikes but Holloway uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Piispa moves in looking to clinch but Holloway pushes him off.
Holloway uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Piispa.
Holloway throws a right and a left that Piispa avoids nicely.
Piispa throws a head kick that Holloway semi-blocks.
Holloway throws a right and a left that both miss.
Piispa avoids a punch combination nicely.
Piispa sizes up Holloway with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Piispa lands with a slapping head kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Holloway shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Piispa wants to control but Holloway is keeping busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holloway takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Piispa is trying to escape back to his feet but Holloway uses the scramble to pass into side control.
Holloway staying calm.

Holloway wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Piispa, who protects the arm well.

Holloway decides to stand up, so the ref orders Piispa to his feet.

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.

Piispa moves into the clinch successfully.

Piispa breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Holloway is working Piispa over against the cage.
Piispa lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Holloway wants to break the clinch but can't.

Piispa pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Holloway on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Piispa throws a right hand that Holloway ducks under and follows up with a left that Holloway also avoids with ease.

Holloway forces Piispa back against the cage and clinches.

Piispa breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Holloway drops his hands momentarily and Piispa takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

Holloway closes the distance and clinches.
Piispa is looking to break free of the clinch but Holloway has double underhooks.
Piispa wants to break free but Holloway has control.
Holloway wants to break the clinch but can't.
Piispa can't break the clinch.
Piispa gets through Holloway's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Piispa tries to stall but Holloway uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Holloway wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Piispa lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Come on Holloway - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Piispa wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Holloway keeps control of Piispa as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Holloway is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Holloway fails to pull guard.
Piispa using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Holloway has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Piispa doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Piispa wants to get back to striking at distance but Holloway won't allow it.
Good body shot from Holloway.
A head punch on the inside from Piispa fails to land.
Holloway lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Piispa or not.
Holloway is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Holloway tries to pull guard but Piispa holds him up against the cage and eventually Holloway drops back down to his feet.
Piispa tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Piispa tries to land a knee to the head but Holloway blocks with his arms.
Holloway prevents Piispa from breaking the clinch.
Holloway lands with a short shot to the head.
Piispa is trying to break free.
Piispa keeps control of Holloway as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Piispa wants to break free but Holloway has control.

Piispa breaks from the clinch.
Piispa lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Holloway is looking to clinch.
Holloway lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Piispa scores with a jab to the jaw.
Holloway avoids a punch combination nicely.
Holloway moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Kesamies Piispa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Holloway looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Piispa wants to clinch up but Holloway keeps it at a distance.

Piispa gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Piispa tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Piispa tries to land a knee to the head but Holloway blocks with his arms.
Holloway tries to break the clinch but Piispa is controlling the position.

Piispa escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nice defenses there by Holloway.
A cross from Piispa lands.
Holloway blocks a jab.
Holloway tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Piispa paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kesamies Piispa is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Holloway lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Joshua Holloway is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Piispa bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Holloway misses with a combination
and Piispa counters with a nice uppercut.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joshua Holloway comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Holloway 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 Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 27:30
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joshua Holloway!