PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Benedict Holmes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kenny Kingsbury (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Holmes comes to the cage accompanied by Am I Demon by Danzig. Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Kenny Kingsbury enters the cage!

Holmes
vs
Kingsbury

177 cm
22
155 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

175 cm
25
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Benedict Holmes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Kenny Kingsbury!
The judges for this bout are Ryoma Takatsuka, Paul Gruel and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kingsbury keeps the fight on the outside.
Holmes slips a jab and a cross from Kingsbury.
Holmes fails in his attempt to clinch.
A jab from Kingsbury does it's job there.
Kingsbury throws a jab but it's blocked by Holmes.
Holmes uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kingsbury.
Kingsbury slaps away a takedown attempt from Holmes, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Holmes closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Kingsbury's guard.
Kingsbury is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Holmes stands up and waves to Kingsbury to follow him.
Nice sprawl there from Kingsbury as Holmes shoots in.
Kingsbury scores with a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kingsbury attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Kingsbury lands with an overhand left.
Holmes shoots in for a takedown but Kingsbury shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Benedict Holmes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kingsbury lands with a good body shot.
Holmes shoots in for a takedown but Kingsbury shows good takedown defense.
Holmes wants to clinch.
Kingsbury scores with a decent looking hook.
Kingsbury throws a one two combo.
Kingsbury throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kenny Kingsbury is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kingsbury throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A telegraphed right hand from Kingsbury misses the target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Holmes instigates a clinch.
Holmes goes for a takedown attempt but Kingsbury pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Holmes shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kingsbury sprawls well. Kingsbury wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Holmes gets slowly back to his feet.
Kingsbury attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Holmes uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kingsbury.
Kingsbury throws a hook to the side of Holmes's head but Holmes sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Holmes moves out of range of the body kick from Kingsbury.
Holmes checks a leg kick.
Kingsbury avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kingsbury misses with a double jab
enabling Holmes to counter with a crisp jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kingsbury throws a leg kick but Holmes moved away.
Holmes blocks a low kick nicely.
Kingsbury scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Kingsbury shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Kingsbury throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Holmes sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kenny Kingsbury seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kingsbury swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Kingsbury throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Kingsbury throws a combination that misses

and Holmes counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Kingsbury tries to roll over but Holmes keeps him under control.

Holmes is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Kingsbury tries to roll over but Holmes keeps him under control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holmes throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Holmes sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Kingsbury defending well though.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kingsbury is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Holmes tries to pass the half guard into mount. Kingsbury knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Holmes is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Kingsbury defends it well.
Holmes has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Kingsbury is trying to maintain the position but Holmes is very close to passing his half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Holmes missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Kingsbury is looking to improve his position.

Holmes is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Benedict Holmes will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Holmes tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kingsbury sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Holmes somewhat.
Holmes tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kingsbury swivels and escapes.
Kingsbury throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Kingsbury misses with a straight left.
Kingsbury attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Holmes shoots in for a double leg but Kingsbury sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Benedict Holmes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kingsbury works Holmes's body with a nice hook.

Holmes takes the fight into the clinch.
Kingsbury lands a shoulder strike.
Holmes is trying to drag Kingsbury to the mat but Kingsbury just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Holmes breaks the clinch.
Kingsbury thows a body shot but no joy.
Kingsbury keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kingsbury keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Jab by Kingsbury.
Kingsbury leaves Holmes with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Holmes avoids the body shot from Kingsbury.
Holmes shoots in for a double leg but Kingsbury sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kingsbury throws a shot to the body.
Benedict Holmes is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kingsbury slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kingsbury attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Kingsbury misses with a lunging right hand

and Holmes counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Holmes.
Kingsbury is trying to push Holmes away but Holmes has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Kingsbury has a couple of punches blocked by Holmes.
Kingsbury tries a body shot but Holmes blocks it.

Holmes pulls guard successfully.
Kingsbury must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Holmes pulls Kingsbury in close to prevent any damage.
Kingsbury tries to free his leg and advance position but Holmes is retaining full guard.
Kingsbury trying to control but Holmes is working from the bottom.
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!
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Holmes pulls Kingsbury in to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Kenny Kingsbury was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Holmes throws a hook to the side of Kingsbury's head but Kingsbury sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Holmes dives in and grabs Kingsbury's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kingsbury pushes down on Holmes's head and hops out.
Kingsbury misses with a double jab.
Holmes is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kingsbury clobbers Holmes with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Holmes keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Holmes fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kingsbury swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Holmes checks a leg kick nicely.
Kingsbury catches Holmes with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
A looping hook to the body misses from Kingsbury. Holmes does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kingsbury lands a nice shot that snaps Holmes's head back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holmes shoots in looking for a takedown but Kingsbury manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Holmes's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Kingsbury cracks Holmes with a good jab.
Kingsbury cracks Holmes with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Kingsbury bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Holmes's head backwards.
Kingsbury lands a jab to Holmes's midsection.
Kingsbury scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
No joy there for Kingsbury, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Sloppy strikes from Kingsbury. Those never looked like landing.
Holmes throws a body punch but Kingsbury moves out of range.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Holmes shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kingsbury as he jumps to the side.
A big left from Kingsbury misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenny Kingsbury showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Holmes clinches up with Kingsbury and pushes him back against the cage.
Kingsbury tries to break free but Holmes pushes him back against the cage.
Kingsbury looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Kingsbury misses with a body punch.
Kingsbury has a couple of punches blocked by Holmes.
Kingsbury wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Holmes has him pressed against the cage.
Holmes is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Kingsbury pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Kingsbury manages to break the clinch.
Nice body punch from Kingsbury.
Kingsbury scores with a three punch combo!
Kingsbury throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kingsbury misses the shot to the body.
Holmes slips a jab from Kingsbury.
A left and a right from Kingsbury both land. Nice combination.
Holmes tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kingsbury swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kingsbury looks to land a right hand but Holmes moved out of range.
Holmes throws a head kick that misses.

Holmes gets a double leg takedown into Kingsbury's guard.
Holmes throwing strikes but missing.
Holmes throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kingsbury works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Kingsbury can do anything to dispel that myth.
Kingsbury looking to hit a scissor sweep but Holmes is one step ahead there.
Holmes showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Holmes wants to control from the top but Kingsbury keeps moving.
Holmes is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Kingsbury is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Benedict Holmes just wasn't active enough.
Holmes shoots in looking for a takedown. Kingsbury tries to sprawl out of it but Holmes keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kingsbury manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kingsbury fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Holmes looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Kingsbury digs a good body shot into Holmes's ribs.
Kingsbury misses with an uppercut. Holmes saw that one coming.
Holmes on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kingsbury. Holmes does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kingsbury throws a front kick aimed at Holmes's knee but Holmes avoids it well.
Kingsbury fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Holmes manages to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kingsbury jabs at Holmes's body.
Kingsbury works Holmes's body with a nice hook.
Holmes will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Benedict Holmes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kingsbury fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Holmes manages to avoid it.
Holmes defending well as Kingsbury loads up on a big left hand.
Holmes blocks a low kick nicely.
Holmes checks a leg kick.
Kingsbury throws a body punch but Holmes moves out of range.
Holmes avoids the body shot from Kingsbury.
Donk. Kingsbury catches Holmes right on the button with a cross.
Holmes defending well as Kingsbury loads up on a big left hand.
Kingsbury scores with a sloppy right hand. Holmes should have avoided that one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kingsbury lands a nice hook to Holmes's body. Holmes takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Kingsbury scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

Holmes clinches up against the cage.
Holmes goes for a takedown attempt but Kingsbury pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Kingsbury looks to score with a jab to the body but Holmes is just out of range.
Holmes fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kingsbury misses with a body shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kingsbury takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Kingsbury pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kingsbury lands a jab-cross combination.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kenny Kingsbury comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kingsbury 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 28:29
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kenny Kingsbury!