PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Tommy Toehold (ranked 4246 p4p, 4244 weight class) and Ray Hoola (ranked 401 p4p, 400 weight class). Hoola has chosen Alvin & The Chipmunks - Christmas song as his entrance music. On his way into the cage it seems that Tommy Toehold has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Tommy Toehold seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Toehold
vs
Hoola

172 cm
23
152
3 - 0 - 0

178 cm
23
152
3 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Tommy Toehold!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ray Hoola!
The judges for this bout are Micheangelo Fripello, Colin Fray and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Toehold closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Hoola's guard.
Hoola trying to keep a closed guard but Toehold is proving a slippery customer.
Toehold looking to pass the guard.
Hoola is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Hoola looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Toehold trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Hoola throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Toehold passes Hoola's left leg - he's now in half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Toehold is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Hoola doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Toehold.
Hoola pushes Toehold off looking to stand but Toehold dives back in and keeps control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hoola is trying to get back to full guard.

Toehold is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Hoola has managed to free his arm - good work.
Toehold performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Toehold looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Toehold is controlling the pace.

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.
Hoola wants to get back to his feet.
Hoola tries to get to full guard but Toehold has control of the leg.
Hoola keeps trying to improve his position.
Toehold wants to free his trapped foot but Hoola is holding on for dear life with his legs.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hoola manages to get to full guard.
Toehold sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hoola wants to sweep here but Toehold controlling him for the moment.
Hoola working a defensive guard here.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Toehold sitting in guard, not really doing much.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Toehold shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Hoola counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Toehold thinking.
Hoola defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Toehold.
Hoola swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Hoola fails with an attempt to clinch.

Toehold clinches up against the cage.
Toehold is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tommy Toehold. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hoola gets underhooks to prevent Toehold's takedown attempt.
Hoola tries to throw a body punch but Toehold avoids it by throwing Hoola back against the cage.
Hoola taking a breather.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hoola tries to circle away but Toehold has him pinned against the cage.
A short left from Toehold.
Toehold tries for a takedown. No joy.
Toehold drops down looking for an ankle pick but Hoola pulls his leg out and moves away.
Toehold moves forwards but Hoola connects with a nice, crisp jab.

Toehold darts in and clinches Hoola up against the cage.
Toehold changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Hoola fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Toehold tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Hoola swivels and escapes.
As Toehold backs off Hoola throws a huge counter combo but Toehold manages to avoid it all.
Hoola tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A decent looking cross lands there for Hoola.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Toehold.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hoola misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Tommy Toehold will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Toehold instigates a clinch.
Hoola lands a body shot.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Toehold lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Hoola tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Toehold breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Toehold ducks under a wild hook from Hoola.

Toehold rushes Hoola and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Toehold fails to pull guard.
Hoola is trying to break the clinch but Toehold is controlling him.
Hoola wants to stall.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hoola is trying to maintain a safe position but Toehold gets an underhook and turns Hoola into the cage.
Hoola tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Toehold's elbow.
Hoola misses with some punches.
Hoola is trying to maintain a safe position but Toehold gets an underhook and turns Hoola into the cage.

Toehold turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Toehold trying to control the position but Hoola is working away.

Toehold working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Toehold controls the position from side control.
Hoola tries to bench press Toehold off him but Toehold keeps the position.
Hoola stops Toehold from passing to mount.

Toehold is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Hoola has escaped the position, nice work there.
Hoola tries to improve position but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Hoola can't do much from the bottom here.
Toehold tries to move into full mount but can't pass Hoola's legs.
Toehold takes a little break here. Hoola wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.

Toehold is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Hoola is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Tommy Toehold overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Toehold advances to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Toehold tries to push Hoola's head away but Hoola is holding on tight.
Toehold controlling from the full mount.
Hoola is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Toehold controlling his opponent.

Toehold has control of Hoola's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Hoola regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Toehold controlling from mount.
Hoola is wriggling around trying to escape.
Hoola's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Hoola is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Toehold sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Hoola 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.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tommy Toehold dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Hoola, as that shot connected.
Toehold looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hoola is fending him off so far but Toehold persists. Nope, Hoola circles away and we're back to standing.
Toehold misses with a takedown attempt
and Hoola counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Ray Hoola is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hoola moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Toehold closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hoola circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tommy Toehold. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hoola connects with a good right hand that stumbles Toehold. Toehold circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Toehold is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

Toehold takes the fight into the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Toehold.

Hoola breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hoola digs a good hook to Toehold's body.
Nice defenses there by Toehold.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hoola is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hoola wants to clinch up but Toehold keeps it at a distance.
Toehold misses with a takedown attempt - Hoola sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Toehold fails with a takedown attempt.

Toehold instigates a clinch.
Hoola stops a takedown attempt from Toehold.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Hoola lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Toehold.
Toehold prevents Hoola from breaking the clinch.
Hoola tries to work over Toehold's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Toehold misses with a hook from the clinch.

Hoola breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Toehold shoots in for a double leg but Hoola sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hoola stuffs the takedown.
Tommy Toehold seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Toehold shoots in for a takedown but Hoola shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Hoola tries to keep at a distance but Toehold has taken the fight into the clinch.
Hoola manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Hoola wants to stall.
Hoola manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Toehold struggles to land a body shot inside as Hoola controls his hands.
Toehold is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Hoola gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Hoola creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Toehold is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Hoola gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hoola trying to control the position but instead, Toehold has worked for underhooks and has pushed Hoola into the cage.
Hoola leaning against his opponent.
Hoola tries a body shot but Toehold blocks it.
Hoola misses with a body punch.
Toehold prevents a body shot from Hoola.
Toehold jumps guard but Hoola turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Hoola lands a nice uppercut.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Hoola misses with a punch to the body.
Hoola lands a body punch in the clinch.
Hoola stalling the fight.
A head punch on the inside from Toehold fails to land.
Hoola is leaning against Toehold and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hoola swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hoola misses with a hook to the ribs.
Toehold changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Hoola fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Hoola scores with a jab to the jaw.
Hoola lands with a nice combination. Toehold backs away looking to recover.
The crowd cheers as Hoola lands an impressive looking overhand right. Toehold doesn't seem phased though.
Hoola is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Toehold closes the distance and clinches.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A short left from Hoola.
Tommy Toehold has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ray Hoola is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hoola lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Toehold backwards.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ray Hoola comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Toehold has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight for Ray Hoola!
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight for Ray Hoola!
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight for Ray Hoola!

Ray Hoola wins by unanimous decision!
A relieved looking Ray Hoola thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.