PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Reinaldo Hernandez (ranked 2942 p4p, 4428 weight class) and Len Denton (ranked 314 p4p, 426 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?

Hernandez
vs
Denton

186 cm
26
194
3 - 2 - 0

178 cm
25
191
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

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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 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Reinaldo Hernandez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Len Denton!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Columbo Gatti and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Denton moves out of range as Hernandez strikes.
Hernandez cracks a nice hook into Denton's ribs.
Hernandez misses with a body shot

and Denton decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Hernandez's guard.
Denton working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hernandez is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hernandez is looking to stand up but Denton isn't so interested in that idea.
Hernandez preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Denton postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Hernandez has his hands on Denton's head, controlling the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Denton passes Hernandez's left leg - he's now in half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hernandez is looking to control Denton's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Hernandez avoid being mounted?
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Hernandez definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hernandez wants to get back to his feet.
Denton has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Denton thows a huge punch but Hernandez dodges it nicely.
Hernandez keeping control of the position.
Hernandez is refusing to be controlled, as Denton sits in half guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.
Hernandez knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Denton on the ground.
Hernandez tries to kick Denton off but Denton keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

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.
The fighters circle momentarily. Hernandez darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Denton throws a big shot that misses.
Hernandez lands a jab to the nose.

It looks like Len Denton has been cut.
Hernandez just misses with a punch to the body.
Hernandez throws out a loose jab but Denton uses good head movement to avoid it.
Denton walks into a stiff left hand from Hernandez.
Denton has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Hernandez waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Denton.
Hernandez scores with a nice strike.
Hernandez scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Hernandez misses with an uppercut

and Denton counters by moving into the clinch.
Hernandez misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hernandez misses with the head strike.
Hernandez tries to circle away but Denton has him pinned against the cage.
Denton drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Hernandez gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Hernandez working aggressively here.

Denton manages to pull guard.
Hernandez trying to stand up but can't free himself from Denton's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Denton had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Hernandez defends it easily.
Hernandez wants to control from the top but Denton keeps moving.
Denton seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Hernandez postures up.
Denton wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Denton keeping moving, preventing Hernandez from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Denton is controlling Hernandez's posture.

Denton is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Hernandez is aware though and is defending well.

Denton escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hernandez gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Hernandez trying to control the position from guard on top but Denton is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Denton wants to sweep but no luck.
Denton controlling the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hernandez trying to control but Denton is working from the bottom.
Hernandez wants to stand but Denton has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
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 Reinaldo Hernandez will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Len Denton's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Hernandez darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Denton tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hernandez was well out of range. Poor timing from Denton.
Hernandez changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
A punch combination from Denton misses.
Reinaldo Hernandez is winning the standup battle so far.
Hernandez tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Denton was well out of range. Poor timing from Hernandez.
Denton walks into a left hand.
Hernandez throws the left hand but Denton avoids the punch easily.

Denton fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Hernandez, pushing him back against the cage.
Denton blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hernandez fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hernandez blocking some punches.
Hernandez throws a punch but it's blocked by Denton.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Denton.

Hernandez escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Hernandez jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Denton takes the fight into the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Denton swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hernandez is trying to force a seperation but Denton has the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hernandez breaks the clinch.
Denton throws a low kick but Hernandez moves out of range easily.
Hernandez looks to land a left hand but Denton moved out of range nicely.
Denton throws the left hand but Hernandez avoids the punch easily.
Denton moves away from the strike by Hernandez.
Hernandez avoids the body shot from Denton.
Hernandez swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Hernandez lands a slapping body shot.
Hernandez throws a looping overhand right but Denton ducks down to avoid it.
Denton swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hernandez scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Hernandez throws a looping overhand right but Denton ducks down to avoid it.
Denton takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Hernandez throws a lazy uppercut

and Denton counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Hernandez!
Hernandez tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hernandez biding his time here by controlling the hands, looking to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hernandez wants to get back to his feet.

Denton has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Denton is looking to control Hernandez but Hernandez is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Hernandez is trying to get back to his feet but Denton has full control of the position and if anything, Hernandez has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Hernandez trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Denton not allowing Hernandez to control his hands.
Good control from Denton.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Let's hope that Denton has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Denton connects with a big shot to the side of Hernandez's head.
Hernandez is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

Denton looking for the rear naked choke. And he's got it! Hernandez taps!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:53 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Len Denton!
Len Denton very nearly forgot to thank Shadow Realm Apparel amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.