PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dwayne Deneal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and AbdulAziz Dunaev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Deneal
vs
Dunaev

193 cm
19
205 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

201 cm
25
204 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Dwayne Deneal!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, AbdulAziz Dunaev !
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Dunaev .

Deneal closes the distance and clinches.
Dunaev taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Dunaev is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Deneal to keep the fight standing.

Deneal breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Deneal tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Dunaev defends well and Deneal ends up having to push Dunaev into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Deneal has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.

Deneal tries to keep at a distance but Dunaev has taken the fight into the clinch.
Deneal letting Dunaev take a breather here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Deneal manages to break the clinch.

Deneal feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Dunaev being controlled here, momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Deneal throws a big right hand that misses.
Deneal controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Deneal throwing strikes from guard but Dunaev blocks nicely.
Dunaev really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Deneal. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Deneal gets to his feet. Dunaev looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Dunaev slaps away a takedown attempt from Deneal, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Deneal has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Deneal tries to work over Dunaev 's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Deneal wants the takedown. Dunaev is fighting it off but Deneal persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Dunaev 's guard against the cage.
Deneal is standing up over Dunaev . Dunaev looks to escape but Deneal dives into side control.

The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Dunaev can do anything to dispel that myth.

Deneal is trying to get an arm triangle but Dunaev is defending well.
Dunaev throws a couple of punches but he's in a bad position and they don't land.
Dunaev looks to move to half guard but instead Deneal has passed into mount! Damn!

Deneal has hold of Dunaev 's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Dunaev manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dunaev is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Dunaev avoids a series of strikes thrown by Deneal.
Deneal can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Dunaev is looking to escape.
Deneal punching from mount but Dunaev doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Dunaev tries to hold on but Deneal postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Dunaev is just holding on here. Deneal manages to take his back.
Deneal gets his hands free as Dunaev looks to control.

Deneal looking for the choke from the back.

Deneal tightening his grip on Dunaev , looking for the choke.
Deneal controlling well, preventing Dunaev from escaping the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Deneal is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dwayne Deneal dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Dunaev shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Deneal as he avoids it easily.
Deneal is looking for a counter combo.
Deneal shoots for a takedown but Dunaev saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Dunaev doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Deneal shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Deneal fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dwayne Deneal. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dunaev keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
No luck for Dunaev with that takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dunaev shoots in but Deneal avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Dunaev misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
As Dunaev tries to get set, Deneal tries to push him back and clinch up but Dunaev manages to avoid the attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Deneal closes this distance looking for a takedown but Dunaev circles away.

Dunaev fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Deneal, pushing him back against the cage.
Deneal jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Dunaev walks away with a smile on his face. Deneal gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Deneal keeps the fight on the outside.
Dunaev finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Deneal has a takedown stuffed.
Dunaev displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Deneal.
A clash of legs there as Dunaev blocks the low kick.
Dunaev dodges the punch combination from Deneal.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dunaev shoots in looking for a takedown. Deneal tries to sprawl out of it but Dunaev keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Deneal manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Deneal is defended easily by Dunaev .
Deneal fails to land the takedown.

Deneal moves into the clinch successfully.
Deneal is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Dunaev can do to turn this around?

Dunaev breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Deneal is trying hard to land a takedown here. Dunaev sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Dunaev shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Deneal manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Deneal uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Deneal tries a head kick but it misses.
Dunaev throws a big counter head kick but Deneal avoids it with no problem.

Deneal tries to sprawl but Dunaev drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Deneal has one foot on Dunaev 's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Dunaev is breathing heavily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Deneal is looking to clinch.

Deneal has taken the fight to the clinch.

Dunaev breaks from the clinch.
Deneal will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dunaev looks to land a combination. Deneal sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Deneal tries for a takedown but Dunaev sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Deneal gets caught flat footed, as Dunaev shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Deneal pushes Dunaev off and gets back to his feet.
Deneal uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Dunaev .
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Deneal is defended easily by Dunaev .
Deneal moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromDunaev .

Deneal scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Dwayne Deneal will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Dunaev rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Deneal moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Dunaev throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Deneal's waist but Deneal gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Dunaev off to one side.
Deneal changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Dunaev tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Deneal was well out of range. Poor timing from Dunaev .
Dunaev shoots in for a takedown but Deneal shows good takedown defense.
Dunaev avoids the head kick by Deneal.

Dunaev darts in and clinches Deneal up against the cage.
Dunaev drops down looking for an ankle pick but Deneal pulls his leg out and moves away.
Dwayne Deneal has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of AbdulAziz Dunaev .
Deneal looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Deneal throws a right and a left that both miss.
Dunaev lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Dunaev rushes Deneal and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Dunaev takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Dunaev escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Dunaev has managed to clinch.
Deneal is defending well against a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dunaev tries to pull guard but Deneal forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Dunaev fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Deneal has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Dunaev uses from the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Deneal wriggles free and stands up.
Dwayne Deneal is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Deneal fails with a takedown attempt.
Dunaev tries to counter with a clinch but Deneal shakes him off and moves away.
Dunaev stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Dunaev wants it to stay on the feet.
Dunaev swinging wildly here.

Deneal gets the takedown into side control.
Dunaev tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Deneal's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Deneal throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Deneal has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Dunaev wants to escape the position.
Deneal slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
You can see the frustration on Dunaev 's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Dunaev is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Deneal.
Deneal thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.
Deneal controls the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Deneal patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
AbdulAziz Dunaev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Dwayne Deneal is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Deneal missing with strikes from the back.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dwayne Deneal showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Deneal, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dwayne Deneal!
During a confident post fight interview, Dwayne Deneal thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.