PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mike Leer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Evander Hollyfield (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Evander Hollyfield is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Leer
vs
Hollyfield

225 cm
19
300 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

196 cm
22
210 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good knees
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Mike Leer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Evander Hollyfield!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Leer doesn't manage to clinch there - Hollyfield circles away.
Leer defending well as Hollyfield loads up on a big left hand.
Hollyfield scores with a nice right hand.

It looks like Mike Leer has been cut.
Hollyfield clinches but Leer breaks the clinch

and Leer counters by moving into the clinch.
Leer scores a nice knee to the body.
Hollyfield scores a nice knee to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hollyfield is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Leer is defending well for now.
Hollyfield tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Leer misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Hollyfield.
Hollyfield missing with knees to the body.
Leer is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Hollyfield is defending well for now.
Hollyfield scores with a knee to the head.
Leer tries to pull guard but Hollyfield holds him up against the cage and eventually Leer drops back down to his feet.
Hollyfield stalling in the clinch but Leer improves position.
Leer managing to block the knees to the body from Hollyfield.
Hollyfield misses with a knee to the head.
Hollyfield trying to land knees to the body.
Hollyfield trying to land knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Hollyfield missing with knees to the body.
Hollyfield tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Hollyfield on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Leer with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Hollyfield missing with knees to the body.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

Leer pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hollyfield connects with an inside leg kick.

Leer moves into the clinch.
Hollyfield trying to land knees to the body.
Leer will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Hollyfield up against the cage.
Hollyfield has had enough of the clinch but Leer keeps him there for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hollyfield taking a breather.
Leer has Hollyfield pressed against the cage, preventing Hollyfield from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Leer missing with knees to the body.
Hollyfield trying to stall but Leer improves his position.
Hollyfield throws a knee to the head but misses.
Hollyfield missing with knees to the body.
Hollyfield tries to land knees in the clinch but Leer avoids the damage to the body.
Hollyfield is trying to break the clinch but Leer has him pressed against the cage.
Leer misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Hollyfield.
Hollyfield misses with an elbow strike.
Hollyfield looking to throw knees to the head but Leer is blocking nicely.
Hollyfield working hard to break the clinch.
Leer managing to block the knees to the body from Hollyfield.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Hollyfield takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Leer looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Hollyfield unloads a knee to the mid-section. Leer lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hollyfield is looking to control Leer's arms but Leer gets an underhook and turns him. Now Hollyfield has his back to the cage.
Hollyfield seems frustrated at his inability to get double underhooks.

Leer pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hollyfield throws a big shot that misses.

Leer clinches.
Hollyfield with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Hollyfield with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Leer has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Hollyfield is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Hollyfield takes a knee right on the jaw!

It looks like Evander Hollyfield has been cut.
Hollyfield is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Leer is defending well for now.
Knees to the body from Leer.
Hollyfield tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Leer avoids it.
Leer 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 Mike Leer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Leer blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Hollyfield throws a knee to the head but misses.
Hollyfield is looking to break free of the clinch but Leer has double underhooks.
Leer is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Hollyfield is defending well for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hollyfield missing with knees to the body.
Leer pressing his opponent against the cage.

Leer is trying to trip Hollyfield. He has hold of a leg but Hollyfield is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Leer persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Leer throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Leer stops Hollyfield from standing up.
Leer trying to control but Hollyfield is working from the bottom.
Leer has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Hollyfield is proving hard to escape from.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hollyfield wants to stand and escape but Leer is having none of it.
Leer trying to control but Hollyfield is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Evander Hollyfield will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

A jab from Hollyfield misses.
Hollyfield throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Nice sprawl there from Leer as Hollyfield shoots in.

Leer takes the fight into the clinch.
Hollyfield trying to land knees to the body.
Hollyfield prevents Leer from breaking the clinch.
Hollyfield gets underhooks to prevent Leer's takedown attempt.
Hollyfield wants to break free but Leer has control.
Hollyfield trying to control the position but instead, Leer has worked for underhooks and has pushed Hollyfield into the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Leer pushes Hollyfield back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Hollyfield tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Hollyfield is looking to control Leer's arms but Leer gets an underhook and turns him. Now Hollyfield has his back to the cage.
Leer blocks the elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hollyfield creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Leer tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Hollyfield using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Leer has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Hollyfield looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Hollyfield is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Leer drops down looking for an ankle pick but Hollyfield pulls his leg out and moves away.
Leer looks to clinch

and Hollyfield moves into the clinch.
Leer tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mike Leer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hollyfield throws a knee to the head but misses.
Leer blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Leer is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Leer presses Hollyfield against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Hollyfield is breathing heavily.
Hollyfield looking to slow down the pace here.
A body shot lands from Leer.
Leer with a knee to the head.
Hollyfield is trying to break the clinch but Leer is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Leer manages to break the clinch.
Leer tries to clinch up.
Hollyfield closes the distance but Leer moves to the side

and Leer holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Leer works on Hollyfield's body with a couple of short punches.
Leer wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Hollyfield has him pressed against the cage.
Leer tries for a takedown. No joy.
Hollyfield stops a takedown attempt from Leer.
A short body shot lands from Leer as the two fighters clinch.
Leer has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Hollyfield is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
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!
Leer tries for a takedown. No joy.
Leer looking for a takedown.
Hollyfield throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Leer blocks it with crossed arms.
Leer tries to land knees in the clinch but Hollyfield avoids the damage to the body.
Leer avoiding damage as Hollyfield throws knees to the body.
Leer on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leer landing knees to the body.
Leer working hard to break the clinch.
Leer has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Hollyfield avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Hollyfield is trying to break the clinch but Leer has him pressed against the cage.
Hollyfield wants to get back to striking at distance but Leer won't allow it.
Leer works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Leer tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Hollyfield smiles and moves away.
Hollyfield throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Leer misses with a wild combination.
Leer fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hollyfield tries to clinch but Leer moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hollyfield attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Leer fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hollyfield tries to clinch up.
Leer tries to clinch up but Hollyfield circles away and keeps his distance.
Hollyfield lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Leer takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Hollyfield tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hollyfield tries to clinch up but Leer circles away and keeps his distance.
Leer fails with an attempt to clinch.
Leer is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Hollyfield closes the distance and pushes Leer back into the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Leer just leaning against Hollyfield, taking a breather.
Hollyfield wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Mike Leer will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Hollyfield tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Leer moves into the clinch.
Leer is working for takedown but Hollyfield is calmly controlling the position for now.

Leer's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
An inside leg kick lands from Hollyfield.
Leer tries for a takedown but Hollyfield circles away easily
and Hollyfield counters with a thumping low kick.
Leer avoids the head kick by Hollyfield.
The fight stays on the outside here - Leer looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hollyfield swats away the attempt to clinch by Leer.
Leer misses with a few strikes there.

Hollyfield bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Hollyfield is looking to take a break and control but Leer is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hollyfield decides to take the fight back to the feet.

Hollyfield is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Leer's half guard.
Hollyfield slips a nice elbow through Leer's hands, connecting with Leer's forehead.
Hollyfield with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leer is refusing to be controlled, as Hollyfield sits in half guard.

Hollyfield stands up out of the half guard.
Hollyfield throws a leg kick but Leer sees it coming and moves out of range.

Leer gets a clinch.
Leer tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Hollyfield just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mike Leer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Leer misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Hollyfield.
Hollyfield lands a nice elbow.
Leer landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Leer working Hollyfield over with knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leer managing to block the knees to the body from Hollyfield.

Hollyfield pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Leer throws a head kick that half lands.

Leer closes the distance and clinches.
Leer managing to block the knees to the body from Hollyfield.
Leer trying to land knees to the body.
Leer landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Hollyfield using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Leer has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Leer obliges.
Leer utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Leer creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Hollyfield's defenses.

Leer jumps guard.

Leer working for a triangle but Hollyfield defends it easily.

Leer escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hollyfield gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hollyfield throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Hollyfield trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hollyfield stops Leer from standing up.
Hollyfield with a flurry of punches that miss.

Hollyfield decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Evander Hollyfield just about did enough to take it.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Back to the action!

Hollyfield clinches but Leer breaks the clinch

and Leer counters by clinching up.
Hollyfield gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Leer.
Leer tries to land knees in the clinch but Hollyfield avoids the damage to the body.
Leer avoiding damage as Hollyfield throws knees to the body.
Hollyfield tries a knee to the head but Leer blocks it.
Leer is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Hollyfield tries to circle away but Leer has him pinned against the cage.
Hollyfield missing with knees to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hollyfield tries a knee to the head but Leer blocks it.
Leer has had enough of the clinch but Hollyfield keeps him there for the moment.
Hollyfield with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Hollyfield wants to break free but Leer has control.
Hollyfield tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Leer avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hollyfield tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Leer avoids it.
Hollyfield lands a knee to the body.

Hollyfield manages to break the clinch.
Leer fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mike Leer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Hollyfield tries to clinch up but Leer circles away and keeps his distance.
Evander Hollyfield seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hollyfield lands with a nice body kick.
Hollyfield tries to close the distance and clinch up but Leer swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Hollyfield.
Hollyfield tries to clinch but Leer is having none of it.
Leer avoids the head kick by Hollyfield.
Hollyfield scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

Hollyfield bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Hollyfield taking a breather here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hollyfield decides to stand back up. Hollyfield steps back and let's Leer get back to his feet.
Evander Hollyfield seems to be getting the better of the standup.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hollyfield moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Leer shoots in but no luck this time.
Hollyfield lands with a thumping leg kick.

Hollyfield fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Leer sprawls well initially but Hollyfield persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Hollyfield lands a nice short elbow.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hollyfield perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Evander Hollyfield has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hollyfield is looking to take a break and control but Leer is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Hollyfield is taking a breather. Leer says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Evander Hollyfield was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Hollyfield keeps the fight on the outside.
Leer tries to clinch there but Hollyfield circles away.
Hollyfield wants to clinch.
Leer circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Hollyfield throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Leer on the side of the head.
Hollyfield will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Hollyfield swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Leer tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Hollyfield manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Leer with a lazy takedown attempt
and Hollyfield counters with a head kick. That will keep Leer thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Hollyfield wants to clinch.
Hollyfield throws a shot to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Leer gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Leer utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Evander Hollyfield dominated that fourth round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Hollyfield moves in looking to clinch but Leer pushes him off.

Leer gets a clinch.
Mike Leer has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Hollyfield stalling in the clinch but Leer improves position.
Leer tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Hollyfield's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Hollyfield fails in his attempt to clinch.
Hollyfield fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hollyfield closes the distance but Leer moves to the side

and Leer holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Hollyfield is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Leer is defending well for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Leer tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Hollyfield avoids it.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Hollyfield can't break the clinch.

Leer lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Hollyfield tries to kick Leer off but Leer keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Hollyfield is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's one minute gone in the round.

Leer decides to stand and escape the position.
Leer fails to land with a series of punches.
Leer tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Hollyfield manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hollyfield looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A cross from Leer lands.
Leer tries to close the distance and clinch but Hollyfield swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Mike Leer is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Leer blocks a low kick nicely.
Leer moves away from the strike by Hollyfield.
Jab by Hollyfield.

Leer closes the distance and pushes Hollyfield back into the cage.
Evander Hollyfield is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leer is stalling here.
Hollyfield is pressed up against the cage. Leer has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Hollyfield down to the mat. Hollyfield avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Hollyfield ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Hollyfield tries to clinch up

and Leer moves into the clinch.
Leer lands a nice knee to the body.
Leer taking a breather.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hollyfield throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Leer blocks it with crossed arms.
Leer on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Leer lands a body shot in the clinch.
Leer has Hollyfield pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Hollyfield manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Hollyfield creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Leer's defenses.
Hollyfield trying to land knees to the body.
Leer throws a knee to the head but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Hollyfield on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Leer is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Hollyfield pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mike Leer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Leer with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Leer has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Leer taking a breather.
Hollyfield tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Leer avoids it.
Leer tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Hollyfield avoids it.
Mike Leer has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A nice right hand lands inside from Leer.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Leer showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Hollyfield has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 48:48
Judge Suge Night scores the fight 46:48
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 46:48

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Evander Hollyfield!