PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mike Holmes Jr (ranked 2433 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vahan Karamyenyan (ranked 3239 p4p, 0 weight class). Holmes Jr comes to the cage accompanied by Red - Damage. Karamyenyan is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Bonecrusher - Saw Theme Remix. This should be fireworks!

Holmes Jr
vs
Karamyenyan

194 cm
24
223 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

186 cm
44
216 lbs
27 - 27 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Heavy handed

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 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mike Holmes Jr!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 27 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Vahan Karamyenyan!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, Alyssa Summers and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Good leg kick by Karamyenyan there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Karamyenyan misses with a two punch combination.
Karamyenyan misses with a wild body shot.
Karamyenyan scores with a spinning back kick!
Karamyenyan throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Holmes Jr stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Karamyenyan misses with a series of wild punches.
An inside leg kick from Karamyenyan misses.
Karamyenyan fails in his attempt to clinch.
Holmes Jr wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Holmes Jr lands with a light punch inside.
Holmes Jr blocks a body shot from Karamyenyan.
Holmes Jr tries to throw a body punch but Karamyenyan avoids it by throwing Holmes Jr back against the cage.
Karamyenyan creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Holmes Jr's defenses.

It looks like Mike Holmes Jr has been cut.
Holmes Jr tries to pull guard but Karamyenyan holds him up against the cage and eventually Holmes Jr drops back down to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holmes Jr tries to pull guard but Karamyenyan forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Karamyenyan tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Holmes Jr's elbow.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Karamyenyan misses with an elbow strike.
Holmes Jr effectively controlling the action here.
Holmes Jr tries to pull guard but Karamyenyan holds him up against the cage and eventually Holmes Jr drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mike Holmes Jr. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Holmes Jr stalls.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Holmes Jr.
A hook to the body from Karamyenyan.
Karamyenyan misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Holmes Jr tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Karamyenyan smiles and moves away.
Karamyenyan throws a head kick that misses.
Karamyenyan connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karamyenyan throws a head kick but Holmes Jr moves out of range.

Karamyenyan clinches up with Holmes Jr and pushes him back against the cage.
Karamyenyan goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Holmes Jr tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Karamyenyan lands an elbow just above Holmes Jr 's eye.
Karamyenyan gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Karamyenyan tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Holmes Jr's elbow.
Holmes Jr blocks an elbow strike from Karamyenyan.
Holmes Jr lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Holmes Jr doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Holmes Jr avoids a wild elbow strike from Karamyenyan.
Holmes Jr blocks the elbow strike.
Karamyenyan working aggressively here.
Karamyenyan blocks an uppercut.
A short uppercut from Holmes Jr.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holmes Jr blocks an elbow strike from Karamyenyan.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Karamyenyan blocks a body shot from Holmes Jr.
Karamyenyan lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Karamyenyan looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Holmes Jr jumps guard but Karamyenyan turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Karamyenyan tries to work over Holmes Jr's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Karamyenyan looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Holmes Jr blocks the elbow strike.
Holmes Jr working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Karamyenyan.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Karamyenyan just misses with a elbow thrown towards Holmes Jr's brow.
Karamyenyan throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Holmes Jr struggles to land a body shot inside as Karamyenyan controls his hands.
Holmes Jr can't find room to land a body shot as Karamyenyan controls the action.
Karamyenyan lands an elbow inside that Holmes Jr shrugs off.

Holmes Jr jumps guard.
Karamyenyan stopping the sweep attempt from Holmes Jr.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karamyenyan working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Karamyenyan missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Holmes Jr keeping moving, preventing Karamyenyan from controlling successfully.
Holmes Jr looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Karamyenyan puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Karamyenyan thows a huge punch but Holmes Jr dodges it nicely.

Karamyenyan seems to be working for a kimura but Holmes Jr defends the submission attempt.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Holmes Jr tries to roll over but Karamyenyan keeps him under control.
Karamyenyan sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Holmes Jr defending well though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vahan Karamyenyan dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mike Holmes Jr's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A punch lands to the side of Holmes Jr 's head but he takes it in his stride.
That kick from Karamyenyan tenderised Holmes Jr's leg. Holmes Jr is trying to keep his angry face on.
Karamyenyan throws a right hand that Holmes Jr ducks under and follows up with a left that Holmes Jr also avoids with ease.
Holmes Jr steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Karamyenyan. That one must have hurt.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Holmes Jr pulls guard.

Holmes Jr is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Karamyenyan wants to control from the top but Holmes Jr keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Karamyenyan pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Holmes Jr is keeping the position for now.
Holmes Jr has his hands on Karamyenyan's head, controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Karamyenyan got a little sloppy there for a moment and Holmes Jr has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Karamyenyan has managed to get both his arms back between Holmes Jr's legs - danger averted.
Karamyenyan seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Holmes Jr keeping moving, preventing Karamyenyan from controlling successfully.
Karamyenyan slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Karamyenyan drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Holmes Jr dives on top into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Holmes Jr trying to control the position from guard on top but Karamyenyan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Holmes Jr trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Karamyenyan wants to sweep but no luck.
Holmes Jr trying to control but Karamyenyan is working from the bottom.
Holmes Jr slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Holmes Jr swings around for an armbar but Karamyenyan sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Holmes Jr's guard.
Karamyenyan cracks Holmes Jr with a solid left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Holmes Jr is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Karamyenyan defends well.
Karamyenyan postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Holmes Jr has his foot on Karamyenyan's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Karamyenyan works his way back into a safe position though.
Karamyenyan wants to control from the top but Holmes Jr keeps moving.
Vahan Karamyenyan has got the better of the ground game so far.
Karamyenyan is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Karamyenyan controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Karamyenyan has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

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

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.
Karamyenyan working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Holmes Jr looking to hit a scissor sweep but Karamyenyan is one step ahead there.
Karamyenyan throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Karamyenyan throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Holmes Jr works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Karamyenyan trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Holmes Jr looking for a guillotine here but Karamyenyan defends easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vahan Karamyenyan showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Mike Holmes Jr's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

A head kick misses from Karamyenyan.
A looping hook to the body misses from Holmes Jr. Karamyenyan does a little dance to reset his feet.
A head kick misses from Karamyenyan.
Vahan Karamyenyan seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A slapping body kick lands there for Karamyenyan.
Holmes Jr throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Holmes Jr has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Karamyenyan.
Karamyenyan takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Vahan Karamyenyan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Karamyenyan misses with a wild body shot.
Holmes Jr has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Holmes Jr lands a big head kick that sends Karamyenyan tumbling to the mat! Holmes Jr takes a step backwards and waves Karamyenyan back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Karamyenyan is rocked!

It looks like Vahan Karamyenyan has been cut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A head kick misses from Karamyenyan.
Karamyenyan is still on wobbly legs! Can Holmes Jr finish him?
Karamyenyan throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Holmes Jr counters with a good low kick that Karamyenyan was not able to check.
Karamyenyan is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karamyenyan throws a head kick that misses

and Holmes Jr moves into the clinch.
Karamyenyan seems to have recovered his senses.
Karamyenyan lands a damaging elbow.
Vahan Karamyenyan seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Karamyenyan tries to work over Holmes Jr's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Karamyenyan throws an elbow but it misses.
Holmes Jr throws a punch but it's blocked by Karamyenyan.
Holmes Jr lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Karamyenyan or not.
Karamyenyan throws an elbow that misses.
A short uppercut from Holmes Jr.
Karamyenyan lands with a right to the head.
Holmes Jr tries to pull guard but Karamyenyan holds him up against the cage and eventually Holmes Jr drops back down to his feet.
Karamyenyan creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Holmes Jr avoids the elbow strike from Karamyenyan, against the cage.
Holmes Jr takes a shot to the head.
Karamyenyan throws an elbow but it misses.

Holmes Jr successfully pulls guard.
Mike Holmes Jr has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karamyenyan trying to control the position from guard on top but Holmes Jr is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Karamyenyan passes into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Karamyenyan throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Holmes Jr keeping hold of Karamyenyan's head, controlling as best he can.

Holmes Jr looking for a kimura from the bottom but Karamyenyan passes into side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karamyenyan wants to control but Holmes Jr is keeping him busy.

Karamyenyan is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Holmes Jr has escaped the position, nice work there.
Holmes Jr tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Karamyenyan wants to control but Holmes Jr is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Holmes Jr can't do much from the bottom here.
Holmes Jr manages to work his way to half guard, despite Karamyenyan's best efforts.
Holmes Jr wants to control but Karamyenyan is keeping busy.
Karamyenyan throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Holmes Jr keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Karamyenyan seems to be looking for submissions.

Karamyenyan is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Mike Holmes Jr.
Well Karamyenyan has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Lou da Vinci scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 28:29
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vahan Karamyenyan!
Vahan Karamyenyan decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.