PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Garrick Head (ranked 2140 p4p, 211 weight class) and Rodney Holzken (ranked 2631 p4p, 246 weight class). Holzken has chosen Justin Bieber ft. Ariana Grande - Let Me Think Bout You as his entrance music. Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Head
vs
Holzken

157 cm
32
154 lbs
16 - 9 - 0

179 cm
30
157 lbs
18 - 15 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Bullet Proof System

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 16 - 9 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Garrick Head!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 15 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rodney Holzken!
The judges for this bout are Dillan Fox, Ian Loll and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Head stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Head wants it to stay on the feet.

Holzken shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Head napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Head explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Holzken fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Head is looking to counter the offense by Holzken and move into the clinch.
We've been informed that Holzken has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.

Head gets a clinch.
Head has a couple of punches blocked by Holzken.
Holzken tries for a takedown. No joy.
Garrick Head has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rodney Holzken.
Head tries a body shot but Holzken blocks it.
I was talking to Head's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Holzken blocking some punches.
Holzken is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Head gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Head throws a head punch that misses.
Head lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Holzken backwards.
Head goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Holzken tries to score a body lock takedown but Head shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Holzken is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Head pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Holzken tries for a takedown but Head manages to get underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Head misses with a punch on the inside.
Holzken blocks an uppercut.
Head misses with a punch on the inside.
Head misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Head is pressed up against the cage. Holzken has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Head down to the mat. Head avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Holzken doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Head will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Holzken scores with a punch to the head.
Head connects with a good right hand that stumbles Holzken. Holzken circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Head connects with a body shot.
Head scores with a decent looking hook.
Head showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Holzken.
Holzken throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Head moves into the clinch successfully.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Holzken is working for takedown but Head is calmly controlling the position for now.
Head lands with a right to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Head prevents a takedown attempt there.
Head misses with the head strike.
Holzken blocks a body shot from Head.
Head prevents a takedown attempt there.
Head is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Head swings wildly with an uppercut but Holzken uses good head movement to avoid it.
Head doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Head throws a punch but it's blocked by Holzken.
Holzken wants a takedown but no success here.
Head makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Head lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Head tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Holzken's elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Head gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Holzken.
Holzken tries to score a body lock takedown but Head shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Head is pressed up against the cage. Holzken has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Head down to the mat. Head avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Holzken looks to land a left hand but Head moved out of range nicely.
Head scores with a nice body kick.

Head rushes Holzken and presses him up against the cage.
Holzken blocks a body shot from Head.
Head scores with a hook to the body.
Head goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Head fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Head.
Head swings wildly with an uppercut but Holzken uses good head movement to avoid it.
Head has a couple of punches blocked by Holzken.

Holzken has clasped his hands together around Head's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Head might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Head tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Holzken is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Head is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Holzken working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Head tries to escape but Holzken is in control.

Holzken is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Head knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Head controls the position for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Garrick Head dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Nice jab there from Head.
Holzken fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Garrick Head is winning the standup battle so far.
Head misses with an uppercut.
Head comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Holzken swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Holzken throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Head stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Holzken shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Head keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Holzken misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Holzken tries to score a power double leg takedown but Head sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Holzken somewhat.
Garrick Head has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rodney Holzken.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Head takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

Holzken throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Head was covering up waiting for the punch and Holzken finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Head has his feet on Holzken's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Head looks to land a body kick but Holzken moved away.
Holzken tries a head kick but it misses.
Rodney Holzken is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Head just misses with a punch to the body.
Head misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Holzken.
It seemed like Holzken was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Head ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Head swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Head ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Holzken moves away.
Holzken shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Head as he jumps to the side.
Head swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Head avoids a punch combination nicely.
Head is looking to counter punch.
Head swings for the body but Holzken moves out of range.
Holzken scores with a nice right hand.
Holzken throws a leg kick but Head checks it.
Head dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Head works Holzken's body with a nice hook.
Holzken changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Head tries to avoid it but Holzken manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Head to the ground. Head escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Holzken is breathing heavily.

Holzken shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Holzken showed some decent athleticism there.

Head kicks Holzken off and gets back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Head throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Holzken shoots in and drives through. Head sprawls well.
Head is looking to wear down Holzken with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.

Head has closed the distance and engaged Holzken in a clinch.
Head doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Head lands a left hand that snaps the head of Holzken backwards.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Holzken.
Head lands a hook to the side of the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Head.
A head punch on the inside from Head fails to land.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Head creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Head swings wildly with an uppercut but Holzken uses good head movement to avoid it.
Garrick Head has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Holzken blocks an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Head can't find room to land a body shot as Holzken controls the action.
Holzken blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Head working aggressively here.
A short right from Head on the inside.
Head lands a left hand.
Holzken blocks a body shot from Head.
Head swings wildly with an uppercut but Holzken uses good head movement to avoid it.
Head has a couple of punches blocked by Holzken.
Still in the clinch, Head scores with a nice short uppercut.
Holzken has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Head avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
A short uppercut from Head.
Head tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Head is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Holzken can do to turn this around?
Holzken blocks an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holzken is looking for a takedown.
Holzken tries to score a body lock takedown but Head shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Holzken tries for a takedown but Head manages to get underhooks.
Holzken is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Head gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Head lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Holzken can't get the takedown.
Head tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Head.
A head punch on the inside from Head fails to land.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Head lands an uppercut.
Head misses with the head strike.
Head working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Holzken blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Head misses with some punches.
Head misses with some punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Garrick Head dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Holzken avoids a kick to the body.
Holzken misses with a few strikes there.
Head displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Holzken.
Head is looking to counter the offense by Holzken and move into the clinch.
Head misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Holzken.
Head just misses with a punch to the body.
Head moves away from the strike by Holzken.
Head seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.

Holzken closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Head to the mat! Head manages to get full guard.

Head pushes Holzken off and scrambles back to his feet.
Holzken throws a right and a left that both miss.
Holzken takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Holzken rushes Head and presses him up against the cage.
Head presses Holzken against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Head prevents a takedown attempt there.
Head tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Head lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Holzken backwards.
Head lands a hook that snaps the head of Holzken backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Head misses with some punches.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Head creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Holzken blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Head.
Holzken blocks a body shot from Head.
A shot in the inside from Head.
Head misses with a punch on the inside.
Head misses with a short punch on the inside.
Holzken prevents a body shot from Head.
Head misses with a short punch on the inside.
Holzken's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Holzken blocks an uppercut.
Head working aggressively here.
Head lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Head working aggressively here.
Holzken has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Head avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Garrick Head has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rodney Holzken.
Head misses with the head strike.
Holzken tries for a takedown. No joy.
Head tries to work over Holzken's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Rodney Holzken has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Holzken has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Head after a bit of a struggle.
Holzken takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Head tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Head swings wildly with an uppercut but Holzken uses good head movement to avoid it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Head misses with the head strike.
Holzken blocking some punches.
Head swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Holzken blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Head tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Holzken.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Head lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Holzken backwards.
Head misses with a hook from the clinch.
Holzken has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Head is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Holzken wants to take the fight to the mat but Head manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Holzken tries to score a body lock takedown but Head shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Holzken is trying to drag Head to the mat but Head just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Head prevents a takedown attempt there.
Head working aggressively here.
Head tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Holzken's elbow.
Holzken blocks an uppercut.
Head tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Head misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Head prevents the takedown attempt.
Head lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Holzken lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Holzken blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Holzken blocking some punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Holzken.
Holzken blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Head lands a nice uppercut.
Holzken takes a shot to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Holzken prevents a body shot from Head.
Holzken misses with a punch on the inside.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Head creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Garrick Head is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Holzken.
Head blocks an uppercut.
Head lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Holzken blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Holzken.

And that's the end of the fight!
Garrick Head showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Head has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Dillan Fox scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 30:27

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