PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Rikiya Goromaru (ranked 3354 p4p, 987 weight class) and Flo Holl (ranked 281 p4p, 87 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.

Goromaru
vs
Holl

170 cm
32
145
11 - 18 - 0

178 cm
26
145
8 - 5 - 0

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class MT
Powerful

NARCOS
Fantasy Threads

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 11 - 18 - 0, fighting out of London, Rikiya Goromaru!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Flo Holl!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, George Francis and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Goromaru uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Holl.
Goromaru swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Holl fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Goromaru manages to avoid it.
Holl tries to grapple but his opponent circles
enabling Goromaru to counter with a crisp jab.
Holl has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Goromaru ducks under a wild hook from Holl.
Holl fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Goromaru checks it well.
Goromaru half committed to a counter leg kick.
Holl misses with a hook
and Goromaru counters with a nice leg kick.
Holl misses with a straight right.
A little feinted left hand from Goromaru on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Holl throws a leg kick
and Goromaru counters with a nice body kick.
Holl throws a wild body kick that Goromaru sees coming a mile off.
Goromaru throws a low kick, looking for Holl's leg but Holl calmly moves out of range.
Holl thinks about the counter body kick.
Holl lands a jab.
Holl scores with a decent looking hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holl walks into a jab.
Holl scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Holl misses with a low kick.
An attempted straight right counter from Goromaru misses the target.
A nice inside leg kick there by Holl. That's going to slow Goromaru down.
Holl misses with a body shot
and Goromaru counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A head kick by Holl misses
and Goromaru counters with a nice body kick.
Holl explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Holl lands a nice leg kick that just misses Goromaru's sensitive parts.
Holl throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Goromaru misses with a looping left.
Despite the aggression on Holl's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
A slow jab from Holl misses its intended target.
It looked like Goromaru wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

Holl pushes Goromaru up against the cage in a clinch.
Goromaru is looking to take this one to the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Holl scores with a knee to the head.
Goromaru tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Holl lands a nice knee to the body.
Goromaru blocking some punches.
Goromaru avoids the elbow strike from Holl, against the cage.
I was talking to Goromaru's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Holl prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rikiya Goromaru. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Holl lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Goromaru lands a body punch.

Goromaru wants the takedown. Holl is fighting it off but Goromaru persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Holl's guard against the cage.
Holl wants to sweep but no luck.
Holl is looking to stand up but Goromaru isn't so interested in that idea.
Goromaru throwing strikes but missing.

Goromaru is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Goromaru wants to pass the guard but Holl is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Goromaru is working hard here to advance position.
Goromaru works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Goromaru trying to mount his opponent but Holl defends it.
Holl is looking for a sweep. Goromaru is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Holl keeps control of the position for the meantime.

Goromaru is trying to work for a kimura but Holl is defending well.
Holl really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Goromaru. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Holl is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Goromaru's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Goromaru's back!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Goromaru tries to escape but Holl has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Holl keeps control of the position as Goromaru tries to break free.
Goromaru rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.

Goromaru looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Holl takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Holl is looking to take a break and control but Goromaru is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Flo Holl will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Holl wants to clinch.
Goromaru throws a hook but Holl avoids it easily.
Goromaru takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Flo Holl seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Holl wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
An inside leg kick lands from Holl.
A slapping body kick lands there for Holl.
Holl scores with a jab to the jaw.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Holl keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Goromaru.
Holl with the inside leg kick.
Flo Holl seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Holl misses with a leg kick
and Goromaru counters with a left to the body.
Holl throws a leg kick
and Goromaru counters with a stiff right hand.
Holl throws an overhand right that lands on Goromaru's shoulder, as Goromaru tries to avoid the shot.
Goromaru feinted there with a counter leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holl tries to clinch but Goromaru moves away
and Goromaru counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Goromaru tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
An inside leg kick from Holl misses.
Goromaru takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Holl is looking to score with low kicks.
Goromaru appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Holl buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Goromaru swats away the attempt to clinch by Holl.
Holl swings for the body but Goromaru moves out of range.
Holl chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Holl dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Goromaru. That did some damage!
A jab from Goromaru misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holl scores with a head kick.
Holl connects with a looping right hand.
A head kick by Holl misses
and Goromaru counters with a nice uppercut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Goromaru blocks a jab.
Goromaru throws a quick counter kick to the body but Holl avoids it.
Goromaru throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.

Goromaru has managed to clinch.
Goromaru tries to pull guard but Holl won't allow it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Holl.
Holl with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Goromaru is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Goromaru blocks an uppercut.
Holl tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Goromaru's elbow.
Goromaru misses with a body punch.
Holl trying to land knees to the body.
Goromaru drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Holl gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Goromaru has Holl pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Holl manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rikiya Goromaru. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Goromaru wants a takedown but no success here.

Goromaru pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Holl throws a body kick, spinning off balance
enabling Goromaru to counter with a crisp jab.
Holl tries to clinch there but Goromaru circles away.
Holl fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Goromaru manages to avoid it.
Holl misses with the combination.
Holl throws the kick towards the body but Goromaru avoids it.
Goromaru misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Holl.
Holl is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Holl throws a body kick that misses
letting Goromaru counter with a right hand.
Holl lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Holl lands a glancing blow to the side of Goromaru's head.
A solid leg kick lands there for Holl.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holl throws a sloppy head kick
and Goromaru counters with a thumping low kick.
Holl throws a leg kick
and Goromaru counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A thudding body kick lands there by Holl!
Goromaru shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Holl needs to keep his hands up - Goromaru had a free shot at his head there.
Holl ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Holl throws a head kick that misses.
Goromaru thinks about countering with a body kick.
Holl tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Goromaru counters with a straight right hand.
Holl lands a jab to the nose.
Holl keeps Goromaru at a distance using the push kick.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Flo Holl showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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!

Holl throws a leg kick
and Goromaru counters with a slapping leg kick.
Goromaru moves out of range of the body kick from Holl.
Holl connects with a looping right hand.
Holl misses with a low kick.
Goromaru was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Holl misses with a hook.
As Holl looks to move away, Goromaru throws a big counter combo but Holl just gets out of the way.
Goromaru with a nice calf kick.
Goromaru fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Holl checks it well.
Goromaru takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Holl throws a quick inside leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Holl fails in his attempt to clinch.
Goromaru swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Holl fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Holl misses with a leg kick
and Goromaru counters with a good low kick that Holl was not able to check.
Holl turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holl throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Goromaru throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Holl feints a counter leg kick.
Flo Holl is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Holl throws a body punch but Goromaru moves out of range.
Good standup being displayed there by Holl as he connects with a hook.
A bone on bone clash there as Goromaru blocks the leg kick.
Goromaru throwing a counter right hand but Holl manages to avoid it.
Holl lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Holl has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Holl scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Holl feints and then cracks Goromaru's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Goromaru down.
Holl throws a lazy uppercut
and Goromaru counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Goromaru misses the shot to the body.
Holl blocks a head kick by Goromaru.
Holl misses with an attempted mid kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holl connects with a leg kick.
The fighters circle momentarily. Holl darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Goromaru gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Holl.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Holl uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Goromaru has time to react.
Holl has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Holl throws a head kick that misses
and Goromaru counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Holl tries to clinch up
and Goromaru counters with a right hand to the body.
Flo Holl is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Holl tries a low kick but Goromaru avoids it.

Holl has managed to clinch.
Goromaru can't get the takedown.
Goromaru jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Holl walks away with a smile on his face. Goromaru gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Goromaru shoots for a double leg takedown but Holl sprawls well. He's pushed Goromaru's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rikiya Goromaru. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holl scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Holl is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Holl gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Holl misses with a knee strike.
Goromaru changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Holl fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Goromaru steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Holl. That one must have hurt.
Holl pivots, looking for a leg kick but Goromaru is out of range and Holl settles back down.
Holl gets cracked there but stands up to it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Goromaru walks into a stiff left hand from Holl.
Goromaru fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Holl has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Holl turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Rikiya Goromaru has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A cross from Holl lands.

Holl tries to keep at a distance but Goromaru has taken the fight into the clinch.
Goromaru goes for a takedown in the clinch but Holl prevents it.
Goromaru is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Holl pulls him back up using the underhooks.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Holl misses with some punches.
Holl misses with a hook from the clinch.
Goromaru tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Flo Holl seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Goromaru throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

And that's the end of the fight!
Flo Holl comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Holl winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30
Judge George Francis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Flo Holl!
Our winner, Flo Holl, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.