PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Dwayne Hicks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Karl Denke (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Denke has chosen Runnin With The Devil as his entrance music. This should be a great matchup!

Hicks
vs
Denke

180 cm
28
195 lbs
16 - 4 - 0

186 cm
23
192 lbs
8 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Sublime Supplements
Virtual Fighter Clothing

Hell's Balls Recovery
Gilop®

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dwayne Hicks!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Karl Denke!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Stewart Dunkirk and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hicks closes the distance but Denke moves to the side
and Denke counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Denke misses with a two punch combination.
A shot to the body from Hicks misses
and Denke counters with a right hand to the body.
Hicks swings widly with a right hand
and Denke counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Denke feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Hickss jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Hicks takes a swing at Denke's ribcage but misses.
Hicks walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Denke checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Denke takes a jab right on the kisser.
Hicks avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Dwayne Hicks seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hicks on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Denke avoids the head kick by Hicks.
A head kick by Hicks misses
and Denke counters with a one-two to the body.
Denke thuds his shin into the meat of Hicks's side.
A low kick from Hicks misses
and Denke counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Hicks thinking.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Denke tries a head kick but it misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hicks throws a sloppy head kick
and Denke counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Hicks misses the body punch
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Denke looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Nice cross by Denke.
Denke fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hicks manages to avoid it.
Dwayne Hicks is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Denke misses with a body kick.
Hicks misses with a hook to the body
and Denke connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A big left from Denke misses.
Hicks swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Denke counters with a stiff right hand.
An inside leg kick lands from Denke.
Denke lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Hicks backs up against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hicks moves out of range of the strikes.
Denke is looking to chop away at Hicks's legs.
Denke thuds a left hand into Hicks's body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Denke lands a nice shot to the body.
Hicks is looking to land body kicks.
Hicks misses with a body punch
and Denke cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Denke stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Denke tests Hicks's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Hicks throws a half hearted mid kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Denke misses the target.
Hicks dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A head kick by Hicks misses
and Denke counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Hicks thinking.
Denke lunges at Hicks with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Hicks's hand.
Hicks avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Denke cracks a nice hook into Hicks's ribs.
Hicks wants to clinch
and Denke counters with a good, hard body kick but Hicks shrugs it off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Denke connects with a body shot that sends Hicks's belly button to the back.
Hicks on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Hicks misses with the body kick
and Denke counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Hicks takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
The fighters circling - Denke throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Denke throws a nice looking combination but Hicks bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A head kick by Hicks misses
and Denke counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Denke throws a one two combo.

It looks like Dwayne Hicks has been cut.
Denke works over Hicks's head and body with a nice combination.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Denke connects with a solid leg kick.
Denke fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Hicks on the side of the head.
Denke is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Hicks had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Hicks gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Denke.
Denke fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Hicks looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Denke lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hicks tries to move into range but Denke moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Denke takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Denke walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Hicks takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Denke is working the combinations to good effect here.
A left lands for Denke.
Hicks tries to land a front kick but Denke steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Denke is looking to slow Hicks down with leg kicks.
Hicks takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Hicks checks a low kick from Denke.
Good leg kick by Denke there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Denke thows a left - swing and a miss!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Denke throws an off balance right hand
and Hicks makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Denke circles away from the clinch attempt
and Denke counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Karl Denke dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Dwayne Hicks's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

A slow jab from Denke misses its intended target.
A head kick misses from Hicks.
Hicks ducks right into an uppercut from Denke.
Denke throws a right hand that misses
and Hicks connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Hicks throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Denke counters with a shoot takedown. Hicks fights it but they end up in guard.
Denke tries to free his leg and advance position but Hicks is retaining full guard.
Hicks utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hicks trying to control the position.
Denke with a flurry of punches that miss.
Denke has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Denke throws and elbow that misses. Hicks uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Denke's guard. Nice move by Hicks!
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Denke is on top in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Denke throwing strikes from guard but Hicks blocks nicely.
Hicks looking to control but Denke passes into half guard.
Hicks makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Hicks.
Denke throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hicks works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Denke trying to control the position from guard on top but Hicks is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Denke trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Denke looking to sit in guard and control but Hicks gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Denke is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Hicks stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Denke swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hicks is looking to advance position but Denke has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Hicks in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Hicks wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Denke.
Hicks tries to hold on but Denke postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Denke scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Hicks?
Denke landing strikes, looking to finish!
Denke can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Hicks is looking to escape.
Denke looking to control and managing it successfully.
Denke scoring with strikes but Hicks is staying in there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hicks is looking to get to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Denke moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Hicks has worked his arm free - good work by Hicks!
Hicks is not content to let Denke control the position.
Hicks takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Denke looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Denke takes a little break here. Hicks wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Karl Denke showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Dwayne Hicks's cut.
That's time! Hicks's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Hicks avoids a punch combination nicely.
A head kick misses from Hicks.
Hicks avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Hicks lands a high kick!
Hicks misses with a body shot.
Hicks misses with a combination
and Denke counters with a right hand to the body.
Denke connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
A jab from Denke does it's job there.
Denke has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Denke shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Hicks throws a head kick that misses
and Denke counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Denke digs a good hook to Hicks's body.
Denke scores with a jab to the jaw.
Denke sizes up Hicks with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Denke shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hicks pinned against the cage. Hicks gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Hicks throws a sloppy head kick
and Denke counters with a straight right hand.
Denke throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hicks.
Hicks throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Karl Denke seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Denke fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hicks manages to avoid it.
Hicks misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Denke counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Hicks throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Denke counters with a nice uppercut.
Denke throws a head kick but Hicks moves out of range.
Hicks displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Denke throws out the jab.
A swing and a miss from Denke.
Hicks throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Denke connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Denke misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Hicks throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hicks takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Hicks misses with a leg kick
and Denke counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Hicks gets off balance looking for a body kick

and Denke counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Hicks's guard now.
Hicks is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Denke drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Denke jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Hicks wants to sweep here but Denke controlling him for the moment.
Denke is working Hicks over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hicks is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Denke trying to control but Hicks is working from the bottom.
Denke sitting in guard here, content to control.
Denke throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Denke throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Hicks is trying to control the position but Denke postures up.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Denke passes into half guard.
Hicks blocking the ground and pound attempt from Denke.

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.
Hicks moves into full guard.
Denke throwing strikes but missing.
Denke trying to control the position from guard on top but Hicks is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Denke throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hicks works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Denke wants to pass the guard but Hicks is keeping the position.
Denke working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Denke trying to control the position from guard on top but Hicks is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Karl Denke really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Dwayne Hicks's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Denke drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Hicks controlling the position.
Hicks utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Denke is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Denke working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Denke sitting in guard here, content to control.
Denke wants to control from the top but Hicks keeps moving.
Denke postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Denke throws a head kick that misses.
Hicks looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Hicks checks the leg kick nicely there.
Hicks misses with a wild body shot.
A slow jab from Hicks misses its intended target.
Hicks rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Denke counters with a lovely straight right hand!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Denke on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Denke taking a breather.
Hicks pushes Denke back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Denke lands a nice knee to the body.
Denke lands a shoulder strike.
Hicks trying to control the position but instead, Denke has worked for underhooks and has pushed Hicks into the cage.

Denke has hold of one of Hicks's legs. Hicks is fighting the takedown attempt but Denke gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.

Denke drops back looking for a leg! Hicks is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Hicks manages to kick Denke off! Denke jumps back into Hicks's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Denke trying to control but Hicks is working from the bottom.
Denke postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Denke slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Denke preventing the sweep.
Hicks avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Denke wants to control from the top but Hicks keeps moving.

Denke drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Denke jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Denke accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Denke content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Denke is stalling in the full guard.
Denke wants to control from the top but Hicks keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Hicks looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Hicks is trying to control the position but Denke postures up.
Denke with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Hicks keeping full guard, as Denke tries to pass.
Hicks utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Denke trying to control the position from guard on top but Hicks is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Karl Denke dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Dwayne Hicks's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Hicks, as that shot connected.
Hicks tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Hicks is looking to wear down Denke with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Hicks misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Denke counters with a right hand to the body.
Hicks looks to throw a body kick

and Denke counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Denke.
Denke working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Denke in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Denke postures up in Hicks's guard and throws a big left but Hicks blocks it.
Denke postures up.
Denke showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Denke missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Denke trying to control but Hicks is working from the bottom.
Denke throws a strike but Hicks rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Denke had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Hicks defends it easily.
Hicks wants to pass the guard but Denke is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Denke throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Hicks escapes and throws Denke's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Denke is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Hicks wants to take a breather but Denke is having none of it.
Denke is looking to improve his position.
Hicks throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Dwayne Hicks has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Denke slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Hicks trying to control the position from guard on top but Denke is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Denke pulls Hicks in close to prevent any damage.

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

Denke looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Denke throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Denke is trying to keep Hicks in close.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hicks tries to free his leg and advance position but Denke is retaining full guard.

Denke has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hicks can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Denke is looking for a triangle here but Hicks uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Karl Denke has got the better of the ground game so far.

Hicks is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Denke has escaped the position, nice work there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Karl Denke comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Denke 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 44:50
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 44:50
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 44:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Karl Denke!
Karl Denke is the new middleweight champion!