PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rami Charger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joshua Holloway (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Joshua Holloway is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Charger
vs
Holloway

180 cm
22
163 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

175 cm
20
155 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rami Charger!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Joshua Holloway!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Ivan Kurochkin and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Holloway moves in looking to clinch but Charger pushes him off.
A good leg kick by Charger.
Holloway slips a jab and a cross from Charger.

Holloway moves into range and clinches up with Charger.
Holloway misses with a punch to the body.
Holloway wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Holloway working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Holloway creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Holloway misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Holloway lands a body shot in the clinch.
Holloway lands a nice shot to the body.
Holloway scores with a hook to the body.
Holloway lands a body punch in the clinch.
Holloway can't break the clinch.
Holloway dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Holloway digs a right hand into Charger's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Charger's gas tank.
Holloway lands a hook to the side of the head.
Holloway throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Charger wants to break free but Holloway has control.
Holloway prevents Charger from breaking the clinch.
Holloway tries to land knees in the clinch but Charger avoids the damage to the body.
Charger is trying to break free.
Charger has had enough of the clinch but Holloway keeps him there for the moment.
Charger is breathing heavily.
Holloway has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Charger is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Holloway prevents Charger from breaking the clinch.
Charger wants to get back to striking at distance but Holloway won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holloway lands a body shot in the clinch.
Holloway lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Charger or not.
Holloway wants to get back to striking at distance but Charger won't allow it.

Holloway's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Holloway throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Holloway throws a nice looking combination but Charger bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Holloway misses with a leg kick
and Charger counters with a nice leg kick.
Holloway is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Charger scores with a kick to the midsection.
Charger uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Holloway.
Holloway shoots in for a takedown but Charger shows good takedown defense.
Charger moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Holloway misses with a combination
and Charger counters with a right hand to the body.
Charger bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Charger lands a front kick.
Charger connects with a high kick.
A combination from Holloway does no damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holloway tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Charger paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Holloway misses with a low kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Charger.
Holloway misses with a leg kick
and Charger counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Holloway swinging wilding here.
Holloway lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Charger circles away quickly and effectively.
Nice body kick from Charger.
Holloway swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Charger lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Holloway dodges the punch combination from Charger.
Some wild striking there from Charger.
Rami Charger is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Charger throws a nice head kick!
Holloway throws a left and a right that both miss
and Charger counters with a straight right hand.
Holloway swinging wilding here.
A solid leg kick lands there for Charger.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Charger scores with a nice head shot.
Holloway has a takedown stuffed.
Rami Charger has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joshua Holloway.
Charger lands with a slapping head kick.
Holloway takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Charger throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Holloway's head.
Charger lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Holloway at a distance.
Charger moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Charger plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Charger bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Charger stalks Holloway and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Holloway's face. Holloway staggers backwards, shaken.
Charger ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Holloway tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Charger lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Charger.
Holloway shoots in but Charger avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Charger fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Charger connects with a solid leg kick.
Charger lands a two punch combo.
Holloway misses with a body punch
and Charger makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Holloway really felt that one!
Charger comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Holloway has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Charger.
Charger connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Charger lands a head kick. Holloway smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Holloway throws a leg kick
and Charger counters with a nice leg kick.
Charger scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Charger is looking to wear down Holloway with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Charger goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Charger throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Holloway tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Charger swivels and escapes.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Holloway falls off balance throwing a combination
and Charger counters with a slapping leg kick.
Charger scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Charger showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Holloway.
Charger throws a series of strikes that have Holloway backpedaling.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Holloway throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Charger counters with a nice low kick that buckles Holloway's knee momentarily.
Holloway throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Charger counters with an inside leg kick.
Holloway tries a low kick but Charger avoids it.
Good exchange - Charger coming out on top.
Holloway fails in his attempt to clinch.
Holloway misses with a double jab
and Charger counters with a leg kick.
Charger goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
The fight stays on the outside here - Holloway looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A nice combination there by Charger.
Charger scores with a spinning back kick!
Holloway falls off balance throwing a combination
and Charger counters with a low kick, right behind Holloway 's knee.
Charger throws a leg kick which misses Holloway's front leg but catches the back leg as Holloway tries to avoid it.
Charger looks to land a combination. Holloway sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Charger slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Joshua Holloway seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Crunch! Charger slams his shin into Holloway's torso.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A slapping body kick lands there for Charger.
Rami Charger is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Charger throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Holloway's head.
Holloway takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Charger dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Holloway. That did some damage!
Rami Charger is winning the standup battle so far.
Charger throws a nice outside leg kick.
Charger lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Charger explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Holloway takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Charger, as that shot connected.
A shot to de liver by Charger. Beautiful body shot.
Charger lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Charger throws a nice inside leg kick.
Holloway throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Holloway takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Charger lands a nice leg kick that just misses Holloway's sensitive parts.
Charger lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Charger chopping away at his opponent's legs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Charger scoring well with a low kick there.
Holloway swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Charger counters with a nice kick to the body.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Charger throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
A good leg kick by Charger.
Charger throws a series of punches but Holloway moves out of range.
Charger with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Holloway fails in his attempt to clinch.
Holloway throws a left and a right that both miss
and Charger counters with a good low kick that Holloway was not able to check.
Holloway walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Charger scores with a head kick.
Charger lands with a slapping head kick.
Charger lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
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!

Holloway moves into the clinch.
Charger is trying to break free.
Charger wants to break the clinch but can't.

Holloway has clasped his hands together around Charger's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.

Holloway has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Charger lands with a shot to the body.
Holloway misses with a combination
and Charger counters with a low kick, right behind Holloway 's knee.
Charger thows a body kick. Holloway tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Both fighters circling a little - Charger finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Charger blocks a jab.
Holloway fails to land the takedown.
Charger lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Holloway misses with a combination
and Charger counters with a leg kick.
Charger feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Holloway's calf.
Charger feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Holloway's calf.
Charger throws a right and a left that Holloway avoids nicely.

Holloway clinches up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Charger wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Holloway has him pressed against the cage.
Holloway lands a nice shot to the body.

Holloway breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A chopping leg kick lands by Charger.
Charger chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Charger throws a head kick that half lands.
Holloway throws a combination that misses
and Charger counters with a nice leg kick.
Holloway doesn't manage to clinch there - Charger circles away.
Charger closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Charger lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Holloway scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Charger lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Holloway tries to clinch but Charger moves out of range.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Holloway chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Charger can pounce on him.
Charger throws a series of punches but Holloway avoids them all with ease.
Charger stuffs the takedown attempt from Holloway. Holloway gets slowly back to his feet.
A chopping leg kick lands by Charger.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rami Charger dominated that second 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. This is the final round!

Holloway fails with an attempt to clinch.
Holloway swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Charger makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Holloway throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Charger connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Charger lands a front kick.
Charger connects with a solid leg kick.
Holloway on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Charger.
Charger walks into a stiff left hand from Holloway.
Charger lands a head kick. Holloway smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

Holloway looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Charger wants to stand and escape but Holloway is having none of it.

Holloway gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Holloway throws a right and a left that Charger avoids nicely.
Charger throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Danga de danga de dang - Holloway scores with a four punch combination!
Charger throws a head kick that Holloway semi-blocks.
Charger misses with a double jab.
Holloway's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Charger throws a head kick but Holloway moves out of range.
Holloway looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Holloway misses with a few strikes there.
Charger scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Holloway takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Holloway misses with a combination
and Charger counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Charger misses with a series of wild punches.
Charger fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Holloway rushes Charger and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Charger breaks from the clinch.
Holloway is looking to clinch but Charger is avoiding it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holloway tries to bum rush Charger with a series of wild strikes but Charger uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Charger avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Charger throws a nice head kick!
Holloway tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Charger swivels and escapes.
Holloway stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Charger.
Holloway looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Rami Charger has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joshua Holloway.
Charger throws a sloppy head kick and Holloway moves out of range easily.
Holloway throws a leg kick that is checked
and Charger counters with a low kick, right behind Holloway 's knee.
Holloway swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Charger counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Charger misses with a wild combination.
Holloway throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Charger counters with a solid body kick.
Holloway misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Charger blocks a low kick nicely.
Charger keeps Holloway at a distance using the push kick.
Charger lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holloway tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Charger counters with a left and a right that stings Holloway.
Charger is looking to slow Holloway down with leg kicks.
Charger lands a high kick!
Holloway swings away with a body shot that misses
and Charger counters with a one-two to the body.
Holloway throws a right and a left that both miss.

Holloway clinches up with Charger and pushes him back against the cage.
Holloway has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Holloway wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Charger has him pressed against the cage.
Holloway wants to break the clinch but can't.
Charger is trying to break the clinch but Holloway has him pressed against the cage.
Charger wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Holloway escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Holloway is looking to clinch.
Charger connects with a high kick.
An inside leg kick lands from Charger.
Holloway throws a right and a left that Charger avoids nicely.
Charger fails to land with a series of punches.

That's four 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.
Charger misses with a jab, cross combination.
Holloway changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Charger tries to avoid it but Holloway manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Charger to the ground. Charger escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Holloway fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Charger, pushing him back against the cage.
Charger wants to break free but Holloway has control.
Charger wants to break the clinch but can't.
Charger can't break the clinch.
Holloway pressing his opponent against the cage.
Charger wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Holloway has him pressed against the cage.
Joshua Holloway has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Holloway prevents Charger from breaking the clinch.

Holloway pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Charger avoids a punch combination nicely.
Charger lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Holloway at a distance.
Holloway throws a leg kick but Charger checks it.
Rami Charger is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Charger lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Charger misses with a few strikes there.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Rami Charger.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Charger, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rami Charger!