PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ralph Cifaretto (ranked 1921 p4p, 2350 weight class) and Bertrand Holderbaum (ranked 258 p4p, 310 weight class). Bertrand Holderbaum is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Cifaretto
vs
Holderbaum

188 cm
23
211
3 - 1 - 0

220 cm
28
220
5 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Senshi Fight Gear

Uncle Rufus Clothing .Co

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ralph Cifaretto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Bertrand Holderbaum!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Holderbaum throws a head kick that Cifaretto semi-blocks.
Cifaretto connects with a single shot there.
Cifaretto missing with a left hand there. Holderbaum was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Holderbaum lets loose with a powerful body kick. Cifaretto will feel that in the morning.
Holderbaum lands a head kick!
Cifaretto walks into a stiff left hand from Holderbaum.
Holderbaum is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Cifaretto throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Holderbaum throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Cifaretto.
Cifaretto misses with a jab, cross combination.
Holderbaum misses with a double jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cifaretto ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Cifaretto appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Cifaretto is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Holderbaum throws a lazy right hand but Cifaretto sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Cifaretto lands a jab-cross combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holderbaum scores with a nice body kick.
Cifaretto looks to throw the jab but Holderbaum is out of range.
Cifaretto throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Holderbaum's waist but Holderbaum gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Cifaretto off to one side.
Holderbaum throws a big counter head kick but Cifaretto avoids it with no problem.
Holderbaum cracks Cifaretto with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Holderbaum tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Cifaretto moves out of range as Holderbaum throws a body kick.
Holderbaum gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Cifaretto.
Cifaretto fails with a takedown attempt.
A looping hook to the body misses from Cifaretto. Holderbaum does a little dance to reset his feet.
Holderbaum throws a hook to the side of Cifaretto's head but Cifaretto sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

Cifaretto decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Holderbaum is rocked!
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!
Holderbaum is looking to get back to full guard here but Cifaretto has managed to pass to side control instead.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Cifaretto is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Holderbaum has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holderbaum is looking to regain half guard here but Cifaretto keeps moving and retains side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Holderbaum gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Holderbaum regains full guard. Nicely done.
Cifaretto preventing the sweep.
Our spies down at at K.O MMA inform us that Holderbaum has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Cifaretto might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Holderbaum looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Holderbaum wants to sweep but no luck.
Cifaretto throwing strikes from guard but Holderbaum blocks nicely.
Cifaretto wants to control from the top but Holderbaum keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holderbaum controls Cifaretto momentarily but Cifaretto frees himself.

Holderbaum has his foot on Cifaretto's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Cifaretto works his way back into a safe position though.
Cifaretto works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Holderbaum is looking for a sweep. Cifaretto is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Holderbaum is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Cifaretto is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Holderbaum has managed to free his arm - good work.
Holderbaum tries to roll over but Cifaretto keeps him under control.
Holderbaum gets back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holderbaum trying to keep a closed guard but Cifaretto is proving a slippery customer.

Holderbaum throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Holderbaum looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Cifaretto tries to free his leg and advance position but Holderbaum is retaining full guard.
Cifaretto trying to control but Holderbaum is working from the bottom.
Holderbaum utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Holderbaum working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Cifaretto doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Cifaretto manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Holderbaum has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Cifaretto has passed into side control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Bertrand Holderbaum will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Cifaretto throws a lazy uppercut
and Holderbaum counters with an inside leg kick.
Holderbaum avoids a punch combination nicely.
Cifaretto lands a right hook to the body.
Holderbaum tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Cifaretto closes this distance looking for a takedown but Holderbaum circles away.
A thudding body kick lands there by Holderbaum!
Holderbaum moves away from the strike by Cifaretto.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cifaretto looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Holderbaum misses with an uppercut.
Cifaretto throws a looping overhand right but Holderbaum ducks down to avoid it.

Cifaretto closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Holderbaum's guard.
Cifaretto trying to control but Holderbaum is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cifaretto tries to free his leg and advance position but Holderbaum is retaining full guard.
Holderbaum tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Holderbaum throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Cifaretto escapes and throws Holderbaum's legs to the side, diving into side control!

Cifaretto tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Cifaretto has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Holderbaum tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.
Cifaretto seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but Holderbaum is holding on tight.
Holderbaum is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holderbaum tries to hold on but Cifaretto postures up.

Cifaretto has hold of Holderbaum's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Holderbaum manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Holderbaum regains half guard.
Holderbaum moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Holderbaum has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Cifaretto can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Holderbaum is on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holderbaum works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Cifaretto is defending against the submission attempts here by Holderbaum.
Cifaretto works his way to full guard. Good work.

Cifaretto has thrown up a leg looking for a triangle. Holderbaum doesn't defend quickly enough and Cifaretto has managed to lock this one up! Can Holderbaum escape?! NO! He's tapping out! Damn, that was a quick submission - congrats to Cifaretto on a fantastic submission victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:57 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Ralph Cifaretto!
A relieved looking Ralph Cifaretto thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.