PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Karl Denke (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Juan Tamad (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Denke comes to the cage accompanied by Runnin With The Devil. The crowd seem to be enjoying Tamad's choice of entrance music: The Joker. Juan Tamad told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Denke
vs
Tamad

186 cm
38
195 lbs
38 - 18 - 1

184 cm
33
200 lbs
22 - 15 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

SP Ultimate Nutrition
GREEN!160

Hellbent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 38 - 18 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Karl Denke!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 15 - 1, fighting out of London, Juan Tamad!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Colin Fotheringham and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Denke throws out a leg kick but Tamad moves out of range and Denke only half commits.
Denke keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Tamad.
An inside leg kick from Tamad misses.
Denke connects with a leg kick. Tamad looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
A nice inside leg kick there by Tamad. That's going to slow Denke down.
Tamad rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Denke moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Tamad uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Denke.
Denke lands with a nice combination. Tamad backs away looking to recover.
Nice cross by Denke.
Denke fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Denke misses with a hook. Tamad ducked under it nicely.

Denke instigates a clinch.

Tamad escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Tamad tries a low kick but Denke avoids it.
Tamad takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Denke shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Tamad ducks under a wild hook from Denke.
Tamad takes one to the chin there.
Good leg kick by Tamad there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Tamad takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tamad throws a hook but Denke blocks it.
Denke works over Tamad's head and body with a nice combination.
A slow jab from Tamad misses its intended target.
Tamad keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Denke.
Denke throws a wild body kick that Tamad sees coming a mile off.
Denke lands a nice shot to the body.
Tamad tries to land a leg kick but Denke saw it coming and moves away.
Some bone on bone action there as Denke checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Denke misses the jab.
Nice shot by Denke.
Karl Denke seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tamad misses with a hook. Denke ducked under it nicely.
Tamad misses with an uppercut.
Denke fails in his attempt to clinch.
Tamad drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Denke defends it well.
Tamad tried to score with a low kick but Denke checks it.
We've been told by Denke's head coaches at Rancid Fight Club that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Tamad takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Tamad fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Denke has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Tamad checks a low kick from Denke.
The fighters circle momentarily. Denke darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Tamad throws a body punch but Denke moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Tamad misses.
Tamad misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Denke connects with an inside leg kick.
Denke smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Denke scores with a jab to the body.
Denke swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Tamad.
Tamad walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Denke checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Tamad misses the jab.
Denke connects with a body shot that sends Tamad's belly button to the back.
Nice cross by Denke.
Denke takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Denke throws a low kick but Tamad avoids it.
Denke lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Tamad at a distance.
Tamad with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Denke throws a solid leg kick but Tamad takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Denke.
Tamad avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Tamad is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Nice shot by Denke.
Tamad takes a shot right to the bread basket.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Left hook, right uppercut from Tamad.
Denke checks a leg kick.
Denke swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

Denke changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Tamad looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Denke tries to advance to mount but can't.
Tamad is working to avoid the ground and pound but Denke connects with a decent elbow.
Denke throws a strike aimed at the side of Tamad's head but Tamad avoids it well.
An elbow from Denke crashes against the mat.

Denke tries for a kimura but Tamad is defending well.
Tamad tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Denke looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Tamad is avoiding damage well.
Tamad tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Tamad felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Denke creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tamad is looking for a sweep.
Denke creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Denke works to advance to full mount. Tamad defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Denke throws some wild stikes that Tamad manages to avoid easily.
Tamad is trying to escape the mount.
Denke sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Karl Denke dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Denke, as that shot connected.
Tamad walks into a straight right hand from Denke.

Denke drives through with a takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Denke throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tamad works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Tamad pulls Denke in close to prevent any damage.
Denke trying to control the position from guard on top but Tamad is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Karl Denke overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tamad keeping full guard, as Denke tries to pass.
Denke wants to control from the top but Tamad keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Denke is really struggling to control Tamad but he's trying to hold on to the position.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Denke is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Tamad can do to turn this around?
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Denke accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Denke keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Tamad swats away the attempt to clinch by Denke.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Denke - that will leave a mark!
Tamad scores with a sloppy right hand. Denke should have avoided that one.
Denke stuffs the takedown.
Denke throws a jab when Tamad was well out of range.
Donk. Tamad catches Denke right on the button with a cross.
Denke throws a hook to the side of Tamad's head but Tamad sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tamad jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Tamad throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Denke stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Denke throws a push kick but Tamad slaps the foot to one side.
Denke missing with a left hand there. Tamad was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Tamad is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
A slow jab from Tamad misses its intended target.
A jab from Tamad misses.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Denke.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Denke throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Denke looks to score with a jab to the body but Tamad is just out of range.
Tamad takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

Denke fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Tamad sprawls well initially but Denke persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Denke not doing much here.
Tamad is looking for a sweep. Denke is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Denke wants to pass to mount but Tamad is defending the position.
Denke not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Tamad manages to get to full guard.
Denke trying to control the position from guard on top but Tamad is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tamad controls Denke momentarily but Denke frees himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Denke is looking to work some ground and pound but Tamad has wrist control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Tamad attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Denke scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Tamad keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tamad with the counter takedown but Denke avoids it easily.
Tamad throws a lazy right hand but Denke sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Denke connects with a jab.
Denke scores with a shot to the body.
Denke thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Tamad if he has to take too many more of those.
Tamad checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Denke lands with a good body shot.

Denke closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Denke tries to advance to mount but can't.
You can see the frustration on Tamad's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Karl Denke dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! And we move into the final round!

Denke throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Tamad.
Denke throws a leg kick but Tamad checks it.
Denke scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Tamad is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Denke misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tamad.
Denke throws the kick towards the body but Tamad avoids it.
Karl Denke is winning the standup battle so far.
Denke uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Tamad has time to react.
Denke throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Tamad misses with a low kick.
Denke connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Denke jabs Tamad to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Tamad moves out of range of the body kick.
Tamad with the counter takedown but Denke avoids it easily.
Denke feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Tamad's calf.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A bone on bone clash there as Tamad blocks the leg kick.
Tamad with a hook.
Denke misses with a two punch combination.
Tamad throws a head kick that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tamad swinging wildly here.
Tamad buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Denke throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Tamad swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Denke scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Tamad avoids the body shot from Denke.
Denke lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Denke scores with a nice head shot.
An inside leg kick lands from Denke.
Tamad takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Tamad throws a head kick that misses.
Tamad checks the leg kick nicely there.
Tamad misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Denke.
Denke scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tamad connects with a leg kick. Denke looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Denke throws a half hearted mid kick.
Tamad is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Tamad looks to land a left hand but Denke moved out of range nicely.
Tamad ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Tamad paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Denke throws a body punch but Tamad moves out of range.
Tamad is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Denke throws a body punch but Tamad moves out of range.
Denke throws a body shot but no joy.
Denke looks to land a right hand but Tamad moved out of range.
Tamad jabs Denke to the body, keeping him at a distance.

Denke drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Denke chips away with some ground and pound.
Denke trying to control but Tamad is working from the bottom.
Denke trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Denke wants to control from the top but Tamad keeps moving.
Tamad wants to sweep but no luck.
Juan Tamad has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tamad pulls Denke in close to prevent any damage.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Tamad fails with the takedown.
Tamad uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Denke.
Tamad tries to score with a low kick but Denke moves his leg out of the way.
Denke pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Denke lands a jab to Tamad's midsection.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Denke looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Tamad throws the kick towards the body but Denke avoids it.
Denke throws a shot to the body.
Denke lands a glancing blow to the side of Tamad's head.
Denke throws a low kick but it's checked well by Tamad.
Denke looks to throw the jab but Tamad is out of range.
Denke connects with an inside leg kick.

Denke feints and as Tamad raises his hands in defense, Denke changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Denke 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.
Denke looking to sit in guard and control but Tamad gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Tamad accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Karl Denke showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Denke has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 30:27
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Karl Denke!
Our winner, Karl Denke, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.