PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Darrion Vaughn (ranked 2737 p4p, 3299 weight class) and Denis Denisov (ranked 147 p4p, 174 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Vaughn
vs
Denisov

165 cm
27
140
4 - 3 - 0

167 cm
21
140
3 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Darrion Vaughn!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Denis Denisov!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Eddie Farnsworth and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Denisov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Denisov takes one to the chin there.
Vaughn is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Denisov.
Vaughn looks to land a left hand but Denisov moved out of range nicely.
Denisov needs to keep his hands up - Vaughn had a free shot at his head there.
Vaughn misses with a hook

and Denisov counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Denisov.
Denisov looking for a takedown.
Vaughn is trying to push Denisov away but Denisov has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Denisov tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Denisov is trying to pull guard but Vaughn turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Darrion Vaughn 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.
Vaughn can't break the clinch.
Denisov fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Denisov jumps guard but Vaughn turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vaughn is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Denisov wants a takedown.
Denisov keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Vaughn's efforts to push away.
Vaughn tries to break the clinch but Denisov is controlling the position.
Vaughn stops a takedown attempt from Denisov.

Denisov pulls Vaughn into guard.
Vaughn would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Vaughn won't allow Denisov to sweep him here.

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.
Vaughn wants to get up but he can't break Denisov's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Denisov wants to stand but Vaughn is controlling the position.
Denisov wants to hit a sweep here but Vaughn passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Denisov there!
Vaughn tries to stand up but he's trapped just for the moment.
Denisov swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Denisov is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Vaughn avoids the attempt from Denisov to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Denisov tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Vaughn avoids the attempt from Denisov to control.

Vaughn stands up from mount. Strange move.
Vaughn misses with an uppercut

and Denisov counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Denisov tries to pull guard but Vaughn forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Denisov changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Vaughn fights it off and pushes away nicely.
A swing and a miss from Vaughn.
Denisov with the counter takedown but Vaughn avoids it easily.
Denisov throws a good cross that connects.

Denisov moves into the clinch successfully.
Denisov jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Vaughn walks away with a smile on his face. Denisov gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Vaughn throws a jab when Denisov was well out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Denisov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Vaughn.
Denisov fails with a takedown attempt.
A left lands for Vaughn.
Darrion Vaughn is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A cross from Vaughn lands.
Vaughn throws a big shot that misses.
Vaughn throws a big shot that misses.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Denisov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Denisov tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Vaughn just stands there and leans against the cage.
Denisov is looking to take this one to the mat.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Denisov drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Vaughn gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Vaughn gets underhooks to prevent Denisov's takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Darrion Vaughn dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Denisov gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Vaughn.
Vaughn jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Vaughn is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Denisov can do to turn this around?
Denisov defending well as Vaughn loads up on a big left hand.
Vaughn throws a hook but Denisov avoids it easily.
Vaughn misses with a hook. Denisov ducked under it nicely.
Denisov staying out of range there.
Denisov feints the counter takedown.
Denisov takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Denisov connects with a single shot there.
Darrion Vaughn seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Denisov misses with a series of wild punches.
Vaughn is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Vaughn throws a hook but Denisov blocks it.
Denisov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Vaughn.
Nice sprawl there from Vaughn as Denisov shoots in.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Denisov has closed the distance and engaged Vaughn in a clinch.
Vaughn wants to break the clinch but can't.

Denisov drags the fight down to the ground.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Denisov striking off his back but it's not causing Vaughn any problems.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Vaughn decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Horrible takedown attempt by Denisov or perhaps it was just good defense by Vaughn, which made it look bad.
Vaughn throws a hook but Denisov avoids it easily.
Denisov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Vaughn is fending him off so far but Denisov persists. Nope, Vaughn circles away and we're back to standing.
Darrion Vaughn has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Denis Denisov.
Denisov takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Vaughn throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Vaughn takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Denisov ducks right into an uppercut from Vaughn.
Vaughn jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Vaughn throws an overhand right that lands on Denisov's shoulder, as Denisov tries to avoid the shot.
Vaughn throws a hook to the side of Denisov's head but Denisov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Vaughn looks to throw the jab but Denisov is out of range.
Darrion Vaughn is winning the standup battle so far.
Vaughn moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Vaughn loads up on a big right hand but Denisov slips the punch.
Vaughn misses the jab.
Vaughn scores with a nice right hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Denisov moves out of range of the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vaughn waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Denisov.
A countering left hand to the body from Denisov misses.
The fighters circling - Vaughn throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Denis Denisov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Denisov defending well as Vaughn loads up on a big left hand.
Vaughn swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Vaughn misses with a looping right.
Denisov slips a jab from Vaughn.
Denisov staying out of range there.
Denisov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Vaughn throws out the jab.
Denisov defending well as Vaughn loads up on a big left hand.
Vaughn misses with a hook

and Denisov holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Our sources have told us that Vaughn has been working on his elbows in the gym.
Vaughn is trying to break the clinch but Denisov has him pressed against the cage.

Denisov manages to break the clinch.
Vaughn misses with a straight right.
Denisov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Denisov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Vaughn.
Denisov tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Denisov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Vaughn.
Denisov has a takedown stuffed.
Vaughn swings widly with a right hand

and Denisov counters by moving into the clinch.
Denisov is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Vaughn to keep the fight standing.

Denisov pulls Vaughn into guard.
Denisov is striking but Vaughn is not phased and passes to half guard.
Denisov trying to get back to full guard but Vaughn takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!

Vaughn stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
Vaughn misses with an uppercut.
Vaughn misses with a looping right.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vaughn misses with a left hand

and Denisov counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Vaughn wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Denisov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Vaughn throws the left hand but Denisov avoids the punch easily.
Vaughn ducks under a wild hook from Denisov.
Denisov shoots in for a double leg but Vaughn sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Vaughn throws a looping overhand right but Denisov ducks down to avoid it.
Vaughn leaves Denisov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Denisov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Vaughn.
Vaughn swings widly with a right hand
and Vaughn takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Vaughn misses with a straight right.
Denisov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Vaughn rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Denisov counters with a three punch combo that has Vaughn backing up. Vaughn nods at Denisov to acknowledge the strikes.

Denisov closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Vaughn's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Darrion Vaughn dominated that second round.
That's time! Vaughn's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Vaughn looks to land a right hand but Denisov moved out of range.
Vaughn throws a jab but it's blocked by Denisov.

Denisov gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Denisov is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Vaughn to keep the fight standing.
Denisov keeps control of Vaughn as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Vaughn stops a takedown attempt from Denisov.
Denisov tries to pull guard but Vaughn won't allow it.
Darrion Vaughn has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Denis Denisov.
Denisov tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Denisov changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Vaughn fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Denisov blocks a jab.
Denisov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Vaughn.
Denisov shoots in for a takedown but Vaughn shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Vaughn misses with an uppercut

and Denisov counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vaughn gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Denisov.
Vaughn wants to break the clinch but can't.
Denisov has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Vaughn avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Vaughn has had enough of the clinch but Denisov keeps him there for the moment.
Vaughn is looking to break free of the clinch but Denisov has double underhooks.
Vaughn is trying to break the clinch but Denisov is controlling him.
Denisov tries to pull guard but Vaughn holds him up against the cage and eventually Denisov drops back down to his feet.
Denis Denisov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Denisov can't get the takedown.
Denis Denisov seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Vaughn is trying to force a seperation but Denisov has the dominant position.
Vaughn has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Denisov changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Vaughn fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Denisov looks to throw the jab but Vaughn is out of range.
Denisov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Vaughn as he avoids it easily.

Denisov instigates a clinch.
Denisov fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Denisov has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Vaughn uses from the top position.
Denisov thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Denisov is trying to keep Vaughn in close.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Denisov can do anything to dispel that myth.
Denisov looking for a sweep. Not yet Denisov, not yet.
Denisov wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Vaughn is now in half guard.
Vaughn is thwarting Denisov's attempts to control the position.

Vaughn stands up from half guard.
Vaughn looks to throw the jab but Denisov is out of range.
Denisov slips a jab from Vaughn.
Denisov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Vaughn.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Denisov! But no joy.
A swing and a miss from Vaughn.
Vaughn is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Denisov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vaughn throws a right hand that misses
and Denisov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Vaughn throws an overhand right that lands on Denisov's shoulder, as Denisov tries to avoid the shot.
Denisov swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Denisov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Vaughn throws a hook to the side of Denisov's head but Denisov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A slow jab from Vaughn misses its intended target.
Vaughn misses with a looping left.
Denisov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

Denisov forces Vaughn back against the cage and clinches.
Denisov is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Vaughn to keep the fight standing.
Denisov jumps guard but Vaughn stands there with Denisov around his waist. Denisov gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Vaughn is looking to break free of the clinch but Denisov has double underhooks.
Darrion Vaughn is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Denisov tries to land knees in the clinch but Vaughn avoids the damage to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Darrion Vaughn showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Vaughn, 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 Steve Montenegro scores the fight 30:27
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 30:27
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 30:27

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