Optical fiber connection system

An optical fiber connection system (100) for connecting a plurality of optical fibers is described. The connection system comprises a first bare fiber holder (120) comprising a first splice element (160) and a second bare fiber holder (120′) comprising a second splice element (160′). Each of the first and second splice elements (160,160′) comprises a splice body (161) having a first end (160a) and a second end (160b) and a plurality of alternating alignment and clamping channels (165,167) formed in a top surface (161b) of the splice body (161) that extend from the first end to the second end of the splice body. When the first and second bare fiber holders (120,120′) are mated, at least a portion of the alignment channels (165) of the first splice element (160) overlap a portion of the clamping channels (167) in the second splice element (160′) and at least a portion of the clamping channels (167) of the first splice element (160) overlap a portion of the alignment channels (165) of the second splice element (160′) to hold the first and second optical fibers in end to end alignment.