UGP 59 BEFORE THE WALK: SERENITY HOLMES
The Holmes Residence
Houston, Texas
[The recording opens to a wide view of the Holmes’ house in Houston, Texas. It transitions to the living room area where Serenity is preparing dinner next to her step-mother, Kaitlyn, cooking a fusion cuisine of Korean and Colombian which has been her favorite. The sizzling of the pan with the meat, the steam from the rice being cooked and Serenity mixing in different ingredients and spices to add flavor. She’s in her pajamas with a hoodie on and her up in a ponytail.]
SERENITY HOLMES: “Back in the season again and we’re the featured prelim fight. I’m very happy because I think I’m getting the respect and the influence in UGP. However, this is the biggest fight of my mixed martial arts career so I’m not holding back. I’m going to give this my all.”
[She sits at the dining table surrounded by her family. They all hold hands and bow as Andre, her father and head coach of her training camp, finishes the prayer. Her younger sister, Athena, sits beside her and her twin brothers, both five years old now are enjoying their meal next to her step-mother, Kaitlyn. Another scene that comes into play is all of them sitting on the couch watching her last fight until it changes to the main event where Holmes laughs at C.C. Flynn walking out to his theme song.]
ANDRE HOLMES: “You know what they say, imitation is another form of flattery. If the world champion wants to use my music, she can. It’ll help her get more popularity. Anyways, my daughter is rising in the bantamweight rankings and soon she’ll be fighting Syn Saetang so I expect her to be earlier than usual tomorrow morning right?”
[The camera moves to Serenity tugging on her pillow pretending to agree but she shakes her head. Athena laughs at her sister and Serenity playfully hits her in the face with a pillow. She crosses her legs on the couch and leans back on the couch watching Saetang’s previous fights and nods to how impressive they were.]
SERENITY HOLMES: “She’s an incredible striker. I’ve faced past strikers but she’s been the one I’ve been watching for a long time. She brings the intensity each fight and as someone who loves to kick box, she’s going to bring a different dynamic. However, I know what I can bring and I’m a mixed martial artist. There’s many ways to go and many opportunities to take in this fight so I know I’m going to bring new aspects that have put her in scary predicaments.”
[She begins packing her things in her old room and carries a large black duffle bag over her right shoulder before getting into the car with her father. She waves to the camera as they take off.]
Holmes MMA and Wrestling Academy
Houston, Texas
ANDRE HOLMES: “Begin!”
[On the sparring mats in the Holmes MMA and Wrestling Academy, the fighters of the training camp are working on different techniques. Serenity finds herself inside the cage with her father, Andre Holmes, and striking coach John Karthan, helping her on a couple techniques with a signed fighter, Verona Jimenez. Both are fitted with pads on but Verona moves forward practicing the Muay Thai clinch and throwing knees into the ribs.]
JOHN KARTHAN: “Remember Verona, keep the clinch tight around the neck, pull her down and lift the knees straight. Serenity, she’s going to lock you in that so you need to take it to the ground.”
[Serenity puts her arms forward attempting to stop the knees but some pass through into her ribs. She hugs Verona while securing the high bodylock underneath the hooks; Once Verona lifts her right knee, Serenity sweeps her down with an inside trip and gets into side control. She quickly wraps her right arm around the neck and interlocks her hand behind the head for the Arm Triangle.]
ANDRE HOLMES: “Perfect!”
[Verona tries her best to fight out of the submission attempt but Serenity shifts her weight away from her body to maximize the pressure around the neck. Verona taps out and Serenity lets go where the two stand up to comfort each other. After a few more scenes of sparring, the sound of a quick break echoes from the clock. A camera shot is Verona unwrapping the tape around her hands as Serenity speaks with her dad in the far back.]
VERONA JIMENEZ: “Serenity is something else. She’s very unorthodox and awkward in her stand up but she has underrated grappling. We’re helping prepare a game plan for Saetang and this is her biggest fight in UGP. We’re not going to waste anything because this is the fight that will show if she has what it takes or not.”
[A close up angle of Serenity practicing her striking defense in checking leg kicks and catching body kicks for a quick sweep to the mat continues. It finishes with the round coming to an end and she sits down at the cage wall.]
SERENITY HOLMES: “Nothing like another day at the camp. We’re ready for our next fight. I’m going to prove I belong and I can beat Syn Saetang. I’ve come too far to lose it now.”
[The final shot is Serenity hitting the pads using her boxing combinations.]
MEDIA DAY
Seattle, Washington
[After landing at the Tacoma International Airport, the camera shows Serenity Holmes and her team walking through the airport escorted by security. She gets inside a black SUV and the rest of her team including her two head coaches follows suit. Serenity leans against the window and the camera shows her watching the city during the daytime as she yawns from the overnight flight.]
SERENITY HOLMES: “We’re on our way to KEXP-FM. Doing some promotion for UGP 59 since we’re the featured prelim fight. Honestly, I like doing the marketing for my fights. Nothing wrong with being on camera as long as you can back it up.”
[In the next scene is a round table inside a small studio where Serenity is sat with headphones on and the cast of the show begin their introductions. She smiles as she leans on the table listening to them talk about the upcoming event.]
MIKEY MOO: “What’s up everyone? We got fights coming this Sunday in Seattle where UGP 59 is taking over the city! We got an up and coming fighter, pro wrestler but she’s looking for another knockout, give it up for “22nd Century Girl” Serenity Holmes!”
[The overbearing sound effects and applause inside the studio made her giggle. She leaned back in the chair then thanked them.]
MIKEY MOO: “Serenity, you’re going up against the 7th ranked fighter in your division, Syn Saetang. What did you get for us? Another knockout?”
SERENITY HOLMES: “Honestly, I’m looking to win by any means necessary. Syn Saetang is no joke. She’s more experienced than I am, an excellent striker and she doesn’t back down. I want to prove I can strike with the best but I’m not afraid to show that I can bring it in the clinch or to the ground. I respect Syn and I respect her die hard attitude. This is going to be the fight to watch but I will be the one standing when it’s over.”
[Serenity thanks them for their time and it cuts to her leaving the studio to get into the transport vehicle again. She’s on the phone with her father explaining her itinerary as they arrive at their hotel, the W Seattle.]
JOHN KARTMAN: “Ready for some sleep? We train first thing in the morning.”
SERENITY HOLMES: “…Yay.”
[She gets out of the car and looks annoyed but now she has to put in the work.]
CHECK IN
Seattle, Washington
[The Climate Pledge Arena. In the backstage, the hallways have been formatted to help with organizing the final touches on the event. Production members are scrambling with equipment boxes, setup tables, gloves and posters of the event. Seated at one table is Serenity ensuring her gloves are a perfect fit and she also autographs posters dressed in her MMA gear for future photographs. The camera comes closer as she continues to sign the posters.]
SERENITY HOLMES: “I saw what Syn had to say and I’m glad she’s taking me seriously unlike the bantamweight champion. I don’t have any disrespect for Syn. I wanted to fight her because she has the skill, experience and the momentum on her side. I know I can beat her and we’re working every day to get that goal. However, I’m enjoying the spoils as one should.”
[In the next shot, the photographer takes multiple pictures of Serenity in front of the UGP 59 logo in her gear. She poses in the southpaw stance holding her fists up and maintaining that penance stare despite the flashing lights. Watching from the sidelines are her two coaches John Kartman and John Karthan who are step-brothers.]
JOHN KARTHAN: “Serenity is on a roll and this fight means a lot to her. She loves to be the camera girl but she takes fighting very seriously. We know what we’re capable of and she knows how much is at stake.”
[The final shot is her executing a question mark kick in her shadow boxing for the camera to help market when the event begins. Serenity thanks the production team and walks away from the shot to join her coaches. All three of them leave the studio to walk down the hallway where she looks over to the rest of fighters taking their turn for their photography. However, Serenity receives a FaceTime call from her sister, Athena, and she answers.]
ATHENA HOLMES: “Bitch! Why you tryna’ look all cute on Twitter for?’
SERENITY HOLMES: “Whachu mean?”
ATHENA HOLMES: “I see you thirstin!”
SERENITY HOLMES: “Girl bye!”
[She ends the call and chuckles. Her coaches behind her remain stoic from failing to understand the dynamic of communication between the young sisters. Serenity continues walking and looks at the camera.]
SERENITY HOLMES: “I love you sis but you doing too much!”
WEIGH INS
Seattle, Washington
[The morning of the weigh-in began with the camera showing Serenity waking up from her long sleep inside her hotel room. She sits up in her hoodie and rubs her eyes after a long nap then gets out of her bed knowing she has to make it to the gym area to help with a morning workout. The video transitions to Serenity Holmes running on the treadmill next to some of her team members. It cuts to an angle to show how determined she is to make sure she stays within her weight class.]
SERENITY HOLMES: “My favorite day. Weigh in. It’s like waiting to get checked in at an airport through security and wondering if they’ll allow you to fly. We have a very good way to keep on that. I’m very precocious and I don’t intend to miss weight. We’re working hard and I’ll be ready to see her in her eyes.”
[Later that day, Serenity Holmes and her team arrive at the Climate Pledge Arena. One of the escort team members open the door allowing her to leave the vehicle. She walks in a baggy hoodie, baggie pants and her slippers carrying a duffle bag over her shoulder. There’s the media team taking pictures but she moves past them to start her day.]
SERENITY HOLMES: “Here we go.”
[The stage has been set and Serenity walks on the stage after climbing the stairs for the early weigh-ins. She steps on the scale and awaits the call to which the official clears her for making weight in the bantamweight division. Serenity flexes her muscles after the conference members claps for her and she walks off the stage sticking her tongue out to the camera.]
