PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Semen Dolgov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andre Holmes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Holmes is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Relentless by New Years Day. Semen Dolgov could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Andre Holmes's chin.

Dolgov
vs
Holmes

193 cm
28
203 lbs
3 - 6 - 0

194 cm
26
205 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

Dangerous GnP
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Semen Dolgov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Andre Holmes!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, Anthony Taglia and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dolgov shoots in looking for a takedown. Holmes tries to sprawl out of it but Dolgov 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.

Dolgov gets a clinch.
Holmes throws a knee to the head but misses.
Dolgov scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Holmes with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Holmes is struggling to control the position.
Holmes throws a knee to the head but misses.

Dolgov 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.
Dolgov has control of Holmes's left arm, preventing Holmes from doing any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dolgov definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Dolgov wants to get back to his feet but Holmes is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dolgov pulls Holmes in to control the position.

Dolgov 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.

Dolgov throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Dolgov controlling Holmes's posture.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Holmes controls from within his opponent's guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Holmes misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
An attempted straight right counter from Dolgov misses the target.

Dolgov instigates a clinch.

Holmes pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A head kick misses from Holmes.

Dolgov clinches up with Holmes and pushes him back against the cage.

Dolgov gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Holmes regains guard.
Holmes told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Dolgov throws a big right hand that misses.
Dolgov throwing strikes but missing.
Dolgov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Holmes wants to stand and escape but Dolgov is having none of it.
Dolgov looking to sit in guard and control but Holmes gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Dolgov keeping moving, preventing Holmes from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dolgov looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Holmes puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Dolgov is trying to get back to full guard.
Holmes passes the guard and advances to mount!
Dolgov can't escape the position.
Dolgov sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Dolgov wants to control but Holmes is keeping busy.
Dolgov is positioning himself well to prevent Holmes advancing to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holmes trying to control the pace.
Dolgov trying to hold on to Holmes's head to control him but Holmes postures up.
Still in half guard, Holmes seems content to control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Holmes prevents Dolgov from improving his position.
Holmes controlling the action here.
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 Semen Dolgov will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Holmes tries to clinch there but Dolgov circles away.
Dolgov lands with a hook. Holmes tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Dolgov lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Holmes at a distance.
Dolgov lands a nice hook to Holmes's body. Holmes takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Semen Dolgov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Holmes throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Dolgov.
Dolgov with a jab.
Nice takedown defense from Holmes. No joy for Dolgov on that attempt.
Holmes takes a jab right on the kisser.

Holmes is rocked!
Dolgov swings for the body but Holmes moves out of range.
Holmes is still on wobbly legs! Can Dolgov finish him?
A combination from Dolgov does no damage.
Holmes seems to have recovered his senses.

Dolgov has closed the distance and engaged Holmes in a clinch.

Dolgov ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Dolgov no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Holmes preventing the sweep.
Holmes wants to get up but he can't break Dolgov's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Holmes's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Dolgov is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holmes wants to control from the top but Dolgov keeps moving.
Holmes is breathing heavily.
Dolgov controlling the position.
Dolgov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Holmes is one step ahead there.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
The fight stays on the outside here - Holmes looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Dolgov jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Holmes tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Dolgov lands a nice leg kick that just misses Holmes's sensitive parts.
Dolgov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Holmes can do to turn this around?
Some wild striking there from Dolgov.
Holmes is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holmes fails with an attempt to clinch.

Dolgov gets tackled into the cage by Holmes. Holmes maintains the clinch.
Holmes with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Holmes with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Holmes wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Dolgov has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Holmes avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Holmes is trying to maintain a safe position but Dolgov gets an underhook and turns Holmes into the cage.
Dolgov scores with a shoulder strike.
Holmes tries a knee to the head but Dolgov blocks it.
Holmes gets underhooks to prevent Dolgov's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Semen Dolgov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A frustrated look appears on Holmes's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Holmes tries to land a knee to the head but Dolgov blocks with his arms.
Holmes is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Dolgov has picked Holmes up - he's going for a ride! Dolgov dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Dolgov connects with a nice short shot to Holmes's temple.

Dolgov is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holmes taking some punishment here, with Dolgov in his half guard.
Dolgov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Dolgov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Dolgov takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Dolgov content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Dolgov winds up and cracks Holmes with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Dolgov performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dolgov landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Holmes trying to control here.

Dolgov is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Holmes has managed to free his arm - good work.
Dolgov tries to pass to full mount but Holmes defends it.
Dolgov is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Semen Dolgov dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Dolgov drops Holmes with a beautiful combination! Holmes stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Dolgov is looking for the KO!
Dolgov lands hard precision jab right on the jaw that stiffens Holmes up and sends him tumbling to the mat! The ref grabs Dolgov from behind before he can pounce. Some folks in the crowd didn't like that stoppage, but I saw Holmes's eyes roll way back in his head, he was done.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:09 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Semen Dolgov!
Semen Dolgov thanked the fans post fight for their support.