PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Denis Holder (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Conrad McCoy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Holder
vs
McCoy

178 cm
20
193 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

182 cm
24
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Denis Holder!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Conrad McCoy!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Colin Fotheringham and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McCoy tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Holder swivels and escapes.

McCoy rushes Holder and presses him up against the cage.
McCoy digs a right hand underneath Holder's ribcage. Holder let out a lung full of air as it connected.
McCoy tries to land a knee to the head but Holder blocks with his arms.
Holder letting McCoy take a breather here.
Holder goes for a takedown in the clinch but McCoy prevents it.
Holder wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but McCoy has him pressed against the cage.
Holder misses with a knee to the head.
Holder tries to pull guard but McCoy forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McCoy wants a takedown but no success here.
Holder is trying to pull guard but McCoy turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Denis Holder. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Holder is pressed up against the cage. McCoy has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Holder down to the mat. Holder avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCoy fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

McCoy has taken the fight to the clinch.

McCoy manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
McCoy is pulling down on Holder's head to control his posture.
McCoy utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCoy trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
McCoy is adopting a defensive guard.

McCoy is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
McCoy preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
McCoy changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

McCoy closes the distance and clinches.

McCoy manages to break the clinch.
McCoy takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCoy shoots in looking for a takedown. Holder tries to sprawl out of it but McCoy keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Holder manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Holder blocks a head kick by McCoy.
Holder is looking to clinch but McCoy is avoiding it.
McCoy slaps away a takedown attempt from Holder, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Holder shoots in looking for a takedown but McCoy manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Holder's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
McCoy tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Holder swivels and escapes.
McCoy misses with a takedown attempt - Holder sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCoy shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Holder as he jumps to the side.
McCoy looks winded!
McCoy is trying hard to land a takedown here. Holder sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Holder fails with the takedown.
Holder shoots in for a takedown but McCoy shows good takedown defense.
Conrad McCoy seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McCoy is trying hard to land a takedown here. Holder sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Holder.
McCoy tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
McCoy fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Holder avoids it really well and circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Conrad McCoy dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Holder throws a wild body kick that McCoy sees coming a mile off.
Holder looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? McCoy is fending him off so far but Holder persists. Nope, McCoy circles away and we're back to standing.

McCoy darts in and clinches Holder up against the cage.
Holder drops down looking for an ankle pick but McCoy pulls his leg out and moves away.
McCoy has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

McCoy instigates a clinch.

Holder pulls guard successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McCoy controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

McCoy decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Holder, up you get!

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCoy shoots for a double leg takedown but Holder sprawls well. He's pushed McCoy's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
McCoy shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Holder pinned against the cage. Holder gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
McCoy fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Holder throws a quick counter head kick but McCoy was just out of range.
Denis Holder has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Conrad McCoy.
McCoy closes this distance looking for a takedown but Holder circles away.
Horrible takedown attempt by McCoy or perhaps it was just good defense by Holder, which made it look bad.
McCoy is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCoy shoots in for a double leg but Holder sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Holder shoots in but McCoy avoids the takedown attempt easily.
McCoy is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Holder with a body shot.

McCoy instigates a clinch.
Holder tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. McCoy just stands there and leans against the cage.
Holder tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. McCoy just stands there and leans against the cage.
Holder jumps guard but McCoy turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
McCoy lands a body punch.
McCoy is trying to pull guard but Holder turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Holder tries to pull guard but McCoy won't allow it.
Holder gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from McCoy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holder tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. McCoy just stands there and leans against the cage.

McCoy breaks the clinch.
McCoy throws a series of strikes that have Holder backpedaling.

McCoy takes the fight into the clinch.
Holder tries to pull guard but McCoy holds him up against the cage and eventually Holder drops back down to his feet.
Holder tries to break free but McCoy pushes him back against the cage.
Holder fails to pull the fight into his guard.

McCoy breaks the clinch.
A solid body kick from McCoy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McCoy clinches.

McCoy gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McCoy not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

McCoy postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Holder to stand up.
McCoy tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Holder defends well and McCoy ends up having to push Holder into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
McCoy throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Holder dives in for a single leg takedown but McCoy sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
McCoy tries to score a power double leg takedown but Holder sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten McCoy somewhat.
Holder throws a quick counter kick to the body but McCoy avoids it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Conrad McCoy showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Holder's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

McCoy with a lazy takedown attempt
and Holder counters with a series of strikes. McCoy will be more careful next time no doubt.
McCoy throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Holder's waist but Holder gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing McCoy off to one side.
It looked like Holder was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
McCoy changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Holder tries to avoid it but McCoy manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Holder to the ground. Holder escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Denis Holder has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Conrad McCoy.
Horrible takedown attempt by McCoy or perhaps it was just good defense by Holder, which made it look bad.
Nice sprawl there from McCoy as Holder shoots in.

Holder manages to get an easy takedown there - catching McCoy on his heels. He'll look to pass McCoy's guard now, I'm sure.
McCoy doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Conrad McCoy has got the better of the ground game so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McCoy has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Holder has passed into side control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Holder working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on McCoy's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
McCoy gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
McCoy has his hands clasped together around Holder's back. He's all about the action.

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.
McCoy is looking to improve his position.
McCoy trying to control but Holder postures up.
Holder lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
McCoy trying to control from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCoy makes his way to full guard. A much better position for McCoy.
Holder won't allow McCoy to sweep him here.
Holder throwing strikes from guard but McCoy blocks nicely.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
McCoy shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Holder went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
McCoy misses with a takedown attempt - Holder sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
McCoy shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Holder counters with a left and a right that stings McCoy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holder wants to clinch.
Holder shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. McCoy defends it nicely.
No luck with that takedown attempt from McCoy.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Holder tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but McCoy swivels and escapes.
And McCoy tries to counter it with a takedown but Holder pushes his down on his head and steps out.
McCoy doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Holder counters with a two punch combo.

And that's the end of the fight!
Denis Holder showed his dominance in that final round.
I think McCoy has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Phil Schofield scores the fight 28:29
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 28:29
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Conrad McCoy!