PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Dmitry Putin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tom Duquesnoy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Putin
vs
Duquesnoy

170 cm
25
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

170 cm
25
145 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Dmitry Putin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tom Duquesnoy!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Kenichi Hosakawa and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A bone on bone clash there as Putin blocks the leg kick.
Duquesnoy throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Putin shoots in but no luck this time.
Putin looks for a takedown but Duquesnoy sprawls well.
Duquesnoy wants to clinch up but Putin keeps it at a distance.
Duquesnoy misses with an uppercut. Putin saw that one coming.
Duquesnoy wants to clinch up but Putin keeps it at a distance.
Duquesnoy throws a leg kick

and Putin decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Duquesnoy's guard.
Putin content to stall in guard here.

Duquesnoy has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Putin can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Putin got a little sloppy there for a moment and Duquesnoy has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Putin has managed to get both his arms back between Duquesnoy's legs - danger averted.
Putin stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Duquesnoy swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Duquesnoy looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Putin postures up in Duquesnoy's guard and throws a big left but Duquesnoy blocks it.

Duquesnoy working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Putin doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Putin manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Duquesnoy preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Duquesnoy looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Putin content to stall in guard here.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Duquesnoy has a closed guard, preventing Putin from standing up.
Putin knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Duquesnoy on the ground.

Duquesnoy working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Putin doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Putin manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Duquesnoy throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Duquesnoy has a closed guard, preventing Putin from standing up.

Duquesnoy has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Putin can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Putin postures up in Duquesnoy's guard and throws a big left but Duquesnoy blocks it.

Duquesnoy throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Duquesnoy being controlled here, momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Putin is pushing down on Duquesnoy's leg trying to pass to half guard. Duquesnoy is fighting to maintain full guard but Putin has managed to sneak the leg through.
Duquesnoy keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Duquesnoy looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Duquesnoy looks winded!
Putin performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Duquesnoy is looking for a sweep. Putin is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Putin seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Putin wants to pass the guard but Duquesnoy is defending well.
Putin is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Duquesnoy moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Duquesnoy has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Putin can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Putin stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Duquesnoy swivels though and keeps the full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Dmitry Putin will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Duquesnoy has his takedown stuffed
and Putin counters with a series of strikes. Duquesnoy will be more careful next time no doubt.
Putin keeps the fight on the outside.
Dmitry Putin is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Putin fails to land the takedown.
Putin tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Duquesnoy defends well and Putin ends up having to push Duquesnoy into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Duquesnoy misses with an attempted mid kick.
Putin wants to clinch up but Duquesnoy keeps it at a distance.

Duquesnoy gets tackled into the cage by Putin. Putin maintains the clinch.
Putin misses with a body punch.
Duquesnoy throws an elbow but it's blocked.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Duquesnoy trying to control the position but instead, Putin has worked for underhooks and has pushed Duquesnoy into the cage.
Duquesnoy lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Duquesnoy wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Putin has him pressed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Duquesnoy holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Putin avoiding damage as Duquesnoy throws knees to the body.
Duquesnoy gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Putin.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dmitry Putin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Duquesnoy swings wildly with an uppercut but Putin uses good head movement to avoid it.
Putin is trying to pull guard but Duquesnoy has him pressed against the cage.
Duquesnoy tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Putin avoids it.
Duquesnoy wants to stall.
Putin tries to pull guard but Duquesnoy won't allow it.
Putin avoiding damage as Duquesnoy throws knees to the body.

Putin successfully pulls guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Duquesnoy stands up and waves to Putin to follow him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Duquesnoy throws a head kick that misses.

Putin has managed to clinch.

Duquesnoy's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Duquesnoy is looking to clinch.
Putin fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Tom Duquesnoy seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Putin clinches up against the cage.
Duquesnoy struggles to land a body shot inside as Putin controls his hands.
Duquesnoy misses with a punch to the body.
Putin works on Duquesnoy's body with a couple of short punches.
Duquesnoy is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Duquesnoy misses with a hook to the ribs.
Putin landing knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Putin lands an elbow that stopped Duquesnoy in his tracks for a moment.

It looks like Tom Duquesnoy has been cut.
Duquesnoy can't break the clinch.

Putin manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Putin controlling Duquesnoy's posture.
Duquesnoy wants to control from the top but Putin keeps moving.
Putin trying to control the position here.
Putin 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.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Putin is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Putin keeping moving, preventing Duquesnoy from controlling successfully.

Duquesnoy drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Duquesnoy jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Putin trying to control the position here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Duquesnoy loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Putin is working an open guard so Duquesnoy takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
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 Dmitry Putin will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Tom Duquesnoy's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Duquesnoy tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Duquesnoy throws a head kick but Putin moves out of range.
Putin went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.

Putin closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Putin takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Duquesnoy.
Duquesnoy is trying to break free.

Putin breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Putin blocks a leg kick.
Putin shoots in looking for a takedown. Duquesnoy tries to sprawl out of it but Putin keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Duquesnoy manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Duquesnoy feints the counter takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Putin scores with a leg kick.
Putin shoots in for a takedown but Duquesnoy shows good takedown defense.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Putin has Duquesnoy up against the cage in a clinch.
Duquesnoy is trying to stall.

Putin breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Duquesnoy lands a head kick. Putin smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Putin tries to bum rush Duquesnoy with a series of wild strikes but Duquesnoy uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Putin.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dmitry Putin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Putin has a takedown stuffed.

Putin instigates a clinch.
Duquesnoy tries to break free but Putin pushes him back against the cage.
Duquesnoy tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Putin's elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Duquesnoy tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Duquesnoy tries to pull guard but Putin holds him up against the cage and eventually Duquesnoy drops back down to his feet.
Putin works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Putin is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Duquesnoy is defending well for now.
Duquesnoy is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Duquesnoy tries to pull guard but Putin won't allow it.
Putin tries to pull guard but Duquesnoy won't allow it.
Putin content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Duquesnoy can't break the clinch.
Duquesnoy throws an elbow that misses.
Duquesnoy is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Putin pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Duquesnoy takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

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

Putin clinches up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Duquesnoy looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Putin pulls guard effortlessly.
Putin is controlling Duquesnoy's posture.

Putin had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Duquesnoy defends it easily.
Tom Duquesnoy has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Duquesnoy gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Duquesnoy pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Duquesnoy throws a leg kick

and Putin counters by clinching up.
Duquesnoy with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Duquesnoy tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Putin just stands there and leans against the cage.
Duquesnoy missing with knees to the body.
Duquesnoy missing with knees to the body.

Putin breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Duquesnoy shoots in but no luck this time.

Duquesnoy gets caught napping as Putin dives in and scores a takedown. Duquesnoy manages to retain guard.
Putin with a nice head shot there.
Putin slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Putin throws a strike aimed at the side of Duquesnoy's head but Duquesnoy avoids it well.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Putin looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Duquesnoy is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Putin's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Putin tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Duquesnoy.
Dmitry Putin is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Putin is controlling the pace.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dmitry Putin showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Putin, 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 30:27
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 30:27
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dmitry Putin!
Dmitry Putin tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.