PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Magomed Sitsongrit (ranked 2740 p4p, 2371 weight class) and Denis Denisov (ranked 345 p4p, 306 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Sitsongrit
vs
Denisov

175 cm
29
145
8 - 6 - 0

167 cm
33
140
12 - 26 - 2

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Furnace Performance 🔥
Silverguard Outfitters 🛡

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 8 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Magomed Sitsongrit!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 26 - 2, fighting out of Los Angeles, Denis Denisov!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Phil Schofield and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Denisov misses with a takedown attempt - Sitsongrit sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Denisov fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Sitsongrit sprawls well initially but Denisov persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Sitsongrit avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Denisov.
Denisov seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Sitsongrit is looking to improve his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Denisov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Sitsongrit defending well though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Denisov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Denisov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Sitsongrit's head.
Sitsongrit avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Denisov.
Sitsongrit tries to roll over but Denisov keeps him under control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sitsongrit trying to control from the bottom.
Denisov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Denisov is trying to control. Sitsongrit wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Denisov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Denisov throws a strike but Sitsongrit avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Denisov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Denisov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Denisov throws a big right hand that misses.
Sitsongrit trying to control the position.

Denisov stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Denisov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Denisov moves away from the strike by Sitsongrit.
Sitsongrit avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Sitsongrit was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Denisov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Sitsongrit avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Sitsongrit was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Denisov throws a combination that misses
and Sitsongrit counters with a right hand to the body.
A nice combination there by Denisov.
Denisov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Sitsongrit but Sitsongrit pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Magomed Sitsongrit is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Sitsongrit tries to keep at a distance but Denisov has taken the fight into the clinch.
Sitsongrit misses with a body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Denisov goes for a takedown in the clinch but Sitsongrit prevents it.
Magomed Sitsongrit has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Denis Denisov.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sitsongrit.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sitsongrit.
Sitsongrit struggles to land a body shot inside as Denisov controls his hands.
Denisov jumps guard but Sitsongrit turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Denisov jumps guard.
Sitsongrit controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Our spies down at at 3Band MMA inform us that Denisov has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Denisov throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Denisov 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.
Denisov lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Sitsongrit working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Denisov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sitsongrit preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Denisov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Denisov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Denisov landing some decent shots from guard.
Sitsongrit keeping moving, preventing Denisov from controlling successfully.
Sitsongrit looking for a sweep. Not yet Sitsongrit, not yet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Denisov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Denisov lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Denisov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Denis Denisov dominated that round.
That's time! Sitsongrit's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

No luck with that takedown attempt from Denisov.
Denisov throws an overhand right that lands on Sitsongrit's shoulder, as Sitsongrit tries to avoid the shot.
Denisov shoots in for a double leg but Sitsongrit sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Sitsongrit swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Sitsongrit showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Denisov.
An attempted straight right counter from Sitsongrit misses the target.

Denisov darts in and clinches Sitsongrit up against the cage.
Denisov tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Sitsongrit smiles and moves away.
Magomed Sitsongrit has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Denis Denisov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Denisov closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Sitsongrit to the mat! Sitsongrit manages to get full guard.
Denisov throws a strike but Sitsongrit rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sitsongrit looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Denisov uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Sitsongrit slaps away a takedown attempt from Denisov, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Sitsongrit throwing a counter right hand but Denisov manages to avoid it.
Denisov tries to clinch
and Sitsongrit counters with a nice uppercut.

Denisov has taken the fight to the clinch.
Sitsongrit misses with a hook from the clinch.
Sitsongrit lands a shoulder strike.
Sitsongrit misses with some punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Denisov.
Denisov blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Denisov jumps into guard, dragging Sitsongrit to the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Denisov being controlled here, momentarily.
Denisov thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sitsongrit sitting in guard here, content to control.
Denisov looking for a sweep. Not yet Denisov, not yet.
Sitsongrit showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Denisov throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Sitsongrit stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Denisov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sitsongrit controlling from the top position.
Sitsongrit prevents Denisov from getting back to his feet.
Denis Denisov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Sitsongrit tries to free his leg and advance position but Denisov is retaining full guard.
Sitsongrit stopping the sweep attempt from Denisov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sitsongrit is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Denisov tries to bum rush Sitsongrit with a series of wild strikes but Sitsongrit uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Sitsongrit was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
A head kick by Denisov misses
letting Sitsongrit counter with a right hand.

Denisov has Sitsongrit up against the cage in a clinch.
Denisov is trying to pull guard but Sitsongrit has him pressed against the cage.
Sitsongrit misses with a hook from the clinch.
Sitsongrit swings wildly with an uppercut but Denisov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Denisov tries to pull guard but Sitsongrit holds him up against the cage and eventually Denisov drops back down to his feet.
Sitsongrit misses with the head strike.
Denisov tries to pull guard but Sitsongrit holds him up against the cage and eventually Denisov drops back down to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Denisov is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Sitsongrit to keep the fight standing.
A right handed body shot lands from Sitsongrit.
Denisov tries to pull guard but Sitsongrit forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
A right handed body shot lands from Sitsongrit.
Denisov is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Sitsongrit to keep the fight standing.
I was talking to Sitsongrit's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Denisov is breathing heavily.
Sitsongrit lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Denisov.
Sitsongrit lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A short left from Sitsongrit.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sitsongrit misses with a hook from the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sitsongrit.
Denisov is trying to pull guard but Sitsongrit turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Sitsongrit doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Denisov has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Sitsongrit avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Sitsongrit misses with a short punch on the inside.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Magomed Sitsongrit dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Denisov throws a left and a right that both miss
and Sitsongrit counters with a stiff right hand.
Denisov misses the jab.
Denisov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sitsongrit paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A quick step to the side and Sitsongrit tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Denisov fails with a takedown attempt.
It looked like Sitsongrit wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Denis Denisov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sitsongrit lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Magomed Sitsongrit is winning the standup battle so far.

Denisov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sitsongrit lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Sitsongrit prevents a body shot from Denisov.
Denisov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A short right from Sitsongrit on the inside.
Sitsongrit tries a body shot but Denisov blocks it.
Sitsongrit can't find room to land a body shot as Denisov controls the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sitsongrit swings wildly with an uppercut but Denisov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Sitsongrit doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Sitsongrit lands a shoulder strike.
Sitsongrit scores with a shot to the side of Denisov's head.
Sitsongrit working aggressively here.
Sitsongrit throws a head punch that misses.
Sitsongrit has a couple of punches blocked by Denisov.
Denisov fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Denisov takes a shot to the head.
Sitsongrit prevents the takedown attempt.
Magomed Sitsongrit has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Denis Denisov.
Denisov tries to pull guard but Sitsongrit won't allow it.
Sitsongrit working aggressively here.
A nice left hand lands by Sitsongrit.
Denisov fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Sitsongrit throws a punch but it's blocked by Denisov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Denisov is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Sitsongrit to keep the fight standing.
Denisov can't get the takedown.
Sitsongrit scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Sitsongrit lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sitsongrit throws a punch but it's blocked by Denisov.
Sitsongrit misses with a hook from the clinch.
Sitsongrit goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Sitsongrit throws a punch but it's blocked by Denisov.
Sitsongrit misses with the head strike.
Sitsongrit lands with a left to the head.
Sitsongrit working aggressively here.
Denisov is trying to pull guard but Sitsongrit has him pressed against the cage.

Denisov successfully pulls guard.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Denisov throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Denisov throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Denisov will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Sitsongrit sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sitsongrit forces his way into half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Sitsongrit is thwarting Denisov's attempts to control the position.
Denisov throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Denisov is trying to control but can't.
Sitsongrit seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Denisov trying to control here.
Sitsongrit trying to control the action but Denisov is working from the bottom.

Sitsongrit stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Denisov to get to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Denisov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Sitsongrit was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Denisov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Sitsongrit was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Sitsongrit avoids a punch combination nicely.
It looked like Sitsongrit wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Sitsongrit avoids a punch combination nicely.
Sitsongrit defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Denisov.
Sitsongrit appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Some wild striking there from Denisov.
Denisov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Sitsongrit half committed to a counter leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Magomed Sitsongrit showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Sitsongrit has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 James Atkins scores the fight 29:28
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Glass scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Magomed Sitsongrit!
Magomed Sitsongrit thanked the fans post fight for their support.