PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Daniel Holt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Thompson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Holt
vs
Thompson

214 cm
24
178 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

180 cm
25
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Daniel Holt!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, John Thompson!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Shirou Masuda and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Holt leaves Thompson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Holt displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Thompson.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Holt tries to pull guard but Thompson holds him up against the cage and eventually Holt drops back down to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Holt drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Thompson changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Holt fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Daniel Holt has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Thompson.
Holt displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Thompson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thompson misses with a takedown attempt - Holt sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Holt throws a big counter combination but Thompson scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Thompson misses with a takedown attempt - Holt sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Holt throws a big counter combination but Thompson scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Holt stuffs the takedown.
Holt went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.

Holt tries to keep at a distance but Thompson has taken the fight into the clinch.
Holt wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Thompson has him pressed against the cage.

Thompson manages to break the clinch.
Thompson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Holt swivels and escapes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Holt gets tackled into the cage by Thompson. Thompson maintains the clinch.
Thompson is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Holt is defending well for now.
Holt is trying to pull guard but Thompson turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Holt misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Thompson.
Thompson has Holt pushed against the cage.
Thompson scores a nice knee to the body.
Holt jumps guard but Thompson turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Thompson is trying to maintain a safe position but Holt gets an underhook and turns Thompson into the cage.

Holt manages to break the clinch.
Thompson misses with a series of wild punches.
Thompson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Holt as he avoids it easily.
Thompson with a poor takedown
and Holt counters with a left and a right that stings Thompson.
Thompson looks winded!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson dives in for a single leg takedown but Holt sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Thompson fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Holt avoids it really well and circles away.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Holt.
Thompson tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thompson is trying to get back to his feet but Holt has full control of the position and if anything, Thompson has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Thompson trying to control the hands but Holt won't let him.

Holt is working hard for the rear naked choke here.

Holt is looking for the choke from the back position but Thompson is controlling his hands well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Holt is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Thompson is defending well though. Holt let's go of the attempt for now.
You can see the frustration on Thompson's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Daniel Holt dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Holt throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Thompson.
Thompson steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Holt.
Holt is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Thompson can do to turn this around?
Holt defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Thompson.
Thompson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Holt swivels and escapes.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Holt breaks the clinch.
Thompson misses with a takedown attempt - Holt sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Daniel Holt has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Thompson.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Holt defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Thompson.
Thompson throws a right hand that Holt ducks under and follows up with a left that Holt also avoids with ease.

Thompson darts in and clinches Holt up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Thompson prevents a body shot from Holt.
Holt lands a shoulder strike.
Thompson fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Holt jumps guard but Thompson turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Thompson looking to stall.
Thompson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Holt pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Thompson is breathing heavily.

Holt pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Thompson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Holt's waist but Holt gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Thompson off to one side.
Thompson shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
letting Holt counter with a right hand.
Holt wants to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thompson fails with the takedown
and Holt counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Holt misses with a takedown attempt - Thompson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Holt is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Thompson's half guard.
Holt really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Thompson has a hand on Holt's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Holt takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holt connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Holt scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Holt punishing his opponent with strikes.
Thompson tries to hold on but Holt postures up.
Holt in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Thompson trying desperately to get to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Holt goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Thompson is on top in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holt lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Holt working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Holt with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Holt stands up over Thompson, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Holt accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Thompson is looking to stand up but Holt isn't so interested in that idea.
Holt landing some decent shots from guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Daniel Holt dominated that second round.
That's time! Holt's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Thompson moves into the clinch.
Holt has Thompson pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Thompson manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Holt stops a takedown attempt from Thompson.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Thompson wants to take the fight to the mat but Holt manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Thompson is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Thompson just leaning against Holt, taking a breather.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Holt breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Thompson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Holt sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Thompson somewhat.
Daniel Holt has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Thompson.
Thompson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holt tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Thompson swivels and escapes.

Thompson moves into the clinch.
Holt prevents a takedown attempt there.
Holt just leaning against Thompson, taking a breather.

Holt's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
John Thompson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Thompson clinches.

Holt breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Thompson moves into range and clinches up with Holt.
Holt fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Holt has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Thompson uses from the top position.
Holt 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.

Holt is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thompson stops Holt from standing up.
Thompson wants to control from the top but Holt keeps moving.
Holt wants to stand but Thompson is controlling the position.
Holt lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Holt working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Thompson working a defensive guard here.
Thompson wants to improve his position but instead Holt has moved into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Holt connects with a nice short shot to Thompson's temple.

Holt is working for a submission of some sort.
Holt throwing shots but Thompson is blocking nicely.
Thompson taking some punishment here, with Holt in his half guard.
Holt thows a huge punch but Thompson dodges it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Holt thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Holt not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Nice strikes from Holt there.
Thompson wants to control but Holt is keeping busy.
Holt will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Thompson is looking to escape.
Thompson has hold of Holt's hands but Holt slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Holt slips a nice elbow through Thompson's hands, connecting with Thompson's forehead.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Holt lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
John Thompson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Daniel Holt is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Holt looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Thompson with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Daniel Holt showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Holt, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Daniel Holt!