PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Medieval Mercenary (ranked 21840 p4p, 3478 weight class) and Denis Denisov (ranked 549 p4p, 395 weight class). On his way into the cage it seems that Medieval Mercenary has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Medieval Mercenary seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Mercenary
vs
Denisov

185 cm
35
165
11 - 15 - 1

167 cm
34
140
12 - 28 - 2

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Very quick

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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Vegan Gains

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 15 - 1, fighting out of New York, Medieval Mercenary!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 28 - 2, fighting out of Los Angeles, Denis Denisov!
The judges for this bout are Percy O'Donnell, Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Denisov closes the distance and clinches.
Denisov manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Mercenary working aggressively here.
Mercenary misses with a short punch on the inside.
Denisov fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Denisov jumps guard but Mercenary turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Mercenary swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Mercenary misses with a knee strike.
Mercenary lands with a right to the head.
Mercenary with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Mercenary tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Denisov pulls guard successfully.
Our spies down at at 3Band MMA inform us that Denisov has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Denisov throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Denisov trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Denisov trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Denisov throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Denisov 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Denisov is trying to keep Mercenary in close.
Mercenary will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Denisov trying to strike off his back.
Denisov looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Mercenary puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Mercenary moves into side control, avoiding the strikes from Denisov.
Denisov regains half guard.
It looks like Mercenary is going to stand back up.
Denisov tries to roll over but Mercenary keeps him under control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Denisov throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Denisov is trying to maintain the position but Mercenary is very close to passing his half guard.
Denisov controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Denisov tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

Denisov clinches up against the cage.
Mercenary tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Denisov tries for a takedown. No joy.
Medieval Mercenary has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Denis Denisov.
Mercenary fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Denisov has clasped his hands together around Mercenary's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.

Mercenary sneaks out the side door and pushes Denisov away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mercenary lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Denisov at a distance.
Mercenary connects with a leg kick.
Mercenary misses with a wild body shot.
A combination from Mercenary does no damage.
Denisov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Denisov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Mercenary throws a counter high kick but Denisov was just alert enough to avoid it.
Denisov throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

Mercenary gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Denisov to score an easy takedown into full guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Denisov wants to control from the top but Mercenary keeps moving.
Denisov throws a big elbow that misses.
Denisov lands a couple of digs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Denisov throwing strikes but missing.
Denisov throws a big elbow that misses.
Denisov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Denisov with a nice head shot there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Denisov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Mercenary is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Denisov is controlling him.
Denisov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Mercenary knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Denisov on the ground.
Denisov with a flurry of punches that miss.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mercenary working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Denisov.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Medieval Mercenary will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Denisov stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

Denisov decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Mercenary is trying to stand.
Denisov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Denisov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Denisov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Denisov takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Mercenary avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Denisov.
Denisov content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Denisov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Denisov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Denisov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Denisov is keen to just control but Mercenary is a slippery customer.
Mercenary keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Mercenary is trying to stand back up but Denisov is controlling him
Denisov scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Mercenary keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Mercenary blocking the ground and pound attempt from Denisov.
Denisov throwing shots but Mercenary is blocking nicely.
Denisov is looking to take a break and control but Mercenary is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
We've been told by Mercenary's head coaches at Blood and Iron Training that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Denisov throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Mercenary was covering up waiting for the punch and Denisov finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Mercenary wants to get back to his feet but Denisov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Denisov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Denisov is looking to work some ground and pound but Mercenary has wrist control.
Denisov throwing strikes from guard but Mercenary blocks nicely.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Denisov. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Denisov with a nice head shot there.
Denis Denisov has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Denisov slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Denisov throws an elbow that misses. Mercenary uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Denisov's guard. Nice move by Mercenary!

Denisov doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Mercenary stopping the sweep attempt from Denisov.
Denisov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Mercenary manages to get himself to full guard.

Denisov not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Mercenary working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Denisov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mercenary is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Denisov throws an elbow that misses. Mercenary uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Denisov's guard. Nice move by Mercenary!

Denisov trying to strike off his back.
Denisov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Denisov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Denisov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Mercenary passes into half guard under a barage of strikes.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Denis Denisov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Mercenary misses with a straight right.
Denisov has a takedown stuffed.
Denisov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Mercenary pinned against the cage. Mercenary gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Mercenary throws a jab when Denisov was well out of range.
Denisov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Mercenary is looking to counter with head kicks.
Medieval Mercenary has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Denis Denisov.

Denisov darts in and clinches Mercenary up against the cage.
Mercenary working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mercenary misses with the head strike.
Mercenary fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Denisov pulls Mercenary into guard.
Denisov trying to strike off his back.
Denisov trying to keep a closed guard but Mercenary is proving a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Denisov throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Mercenary trying to stand up but can't free himself from Denisov's guard.
Mercenary has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Denisov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Mercenary preventing the sweep.
Denisov keeps trying to improve his position.
Denisov throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Denis Denisov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Denisov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Mercenary swivels and escapes.
Mercenary scoring well with a low kick there.

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.
Denisov tries to bum rush Mercenary with a series of wild strikes but Mercenary uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Nice defenses there by Denisov.
Despite the aggression on Denisov's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.

Denisov clinches with his opponent.
Denisov tries to pull guard but Mercenary holds him up against the cage and eventually Denisov drops back down to his feet.
Denisov tries to pull guard but Mercenary forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Mercenary swings wildly with an uppercut but Denisov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mercenary misses with a punch on the inside.
Mercenary lands a right hand.
Denisov tries to pull guard but Mercenary won't allow it.
Denisov tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Mercenary just stands there and leans against the cage.
A hook to the body from Mercenary.
Denisov changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Mercenary fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Denisov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Denisov ducks under a wild hook from Mercenary.
Mercenary connects with an inside leg kick.
Mercenary misses with a looping left.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Denisov throws a series of punches but Mercenary moves out of range.
Mercenary swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Denisov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Mercenary defends it nicely.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Mercenary.
Medieval Mercenary is winning the standup battle so far.
Mercenary throws a low kick but it's checked well by Denisov.
Denisov shoots in but Mercenary avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Denisov avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

Denisov looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Denisov content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Denisov not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mercenary blocking the ground and pound attempt from Denisov.
Denisov is trying to control. Mercenary wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Denisov working over Mercenary with some ground and pound. Mercenary looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Mercenary is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Denisov scores with a couple of nice shots.
Denisov stalling away here and it's allowed Mercenary to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Denisov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Denisov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Mercenary works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Medieval Mercenary showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Mercenary has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!