PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Michael Holmes (ranked 663 p4p, 1960 weight class) and Rayan Brandt (ranked 87 p4p, 230 weight class). Rayan Brandt has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Michael Holmes's chin.

Holmes
vs
Brandt

188 cm
23
205
8 - 3 - 0

195 cm
22
205
7 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Kersikov's Vitamin Clinic (160)

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 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Michael Holmes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rayan Brandt!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Fedor Mirinova and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A swing and a miss from Brandt.
Holmes appears to be looking for a big counter.
Holmes throws a body shot but no joy.
Holmes throws a front kick aimed at Brandt's knee but Brandt avoids it well.
Brandt changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

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

Holmes has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Brandt can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Brandt is in close to Holmes's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Holmes throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Holmes working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Brandt has passed into half guard!
Brandt stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holmes trying to control from the bottom.
Holmes keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Holmes is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Holmes is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Brandt pulls his head out easily.
Holmes is pressing down on Brandt's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Holmes bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Brandt's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holmes trying to control the position from guard on top but Brandt is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Brandt looking for a sweep. Not yet Brandt, not yet.
Holmes trying to control but Brandt is working from the bottom.
Holmes looking to pass the guard.
Holmes is working hard here to advance position.
Holmes looking to sit in guard and control but Brandt gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Holmes wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holmes keeping moving, preventing Brandt from controlling successfully.

Holmes looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Brandt scoring with some ground and pound.

Holmes is looking for a triangle but Brandt pushes his legs off easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Holmes pulls Brandt in close to prevent any damage.

Holmes has managed to work for a loose triangle. I think Brandt should be able to defend this one pretty easily though. Oh, Holmes has tightened it up now! Brandt should have reacted faster there - he's in big trouble and yes, he's tapped out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Michael Holmes!
A victorious Michael Holmes thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.