PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Argivas Kerenzikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dom DeNardo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kerenzikov's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, NO SHELTER\RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE. Dom DeNardo has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Kerenzikov
vs
DeNardo

185 cm
28
270 lbs
12 - 3 - 0

190 cm
27
240 lbs
12 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Dynamo Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Argivas Kerenzikov!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Dom DeNardo!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Nard Betker and Wagner Zegers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
DeNardo dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Kerenzikov. That did some damage!
We've been told by Kerenzikov's head coaches at Sanitarium that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Kerenzikov misses with a looping left.
Kerenzikov misses with an uppercut.
Kerenzikov takes one to the side of the head.

Kerenzikov gets in close and instigates a clinch.
DeNardo avoids a wild elbow strike from Kerenzikov.

DeNardo breaks from the clinch.
Kerenzikov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Kerenzikov shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

DeNardo looking to score a takedown here. Kerenzikov is defending well but DeNardo drives through and ends up in Kerenzikov's guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Kerenzikov keeping moving, preventing DeNardo from controlling successfully.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

DeNardo is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Kerenzikov is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Kerenzikov has escaped and now he's on top!
Kerenzikov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kerenzikov throwing strikes but missing.
Kerenzikov content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

DeNardo isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Kerenzikov stacks DeNardo on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Kerenzikov!
Kerenzikov misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
DeNardo is looking for a sweep.
Kerenzikov lands some shots froms side control.
Kerenzikov tries to stand but DeNardo controls the position and pulls Kerenzikov into his guard.
Kerenzikov postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kerenzikov passes DeNardo's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kerenzikov is nestled in close to DeNardo, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
DeNardo gets full guard.
Kerenzikov trying to control the position from guard on top but DeNardo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kerenzikov controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

DeNardo working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kerenzikov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kerenzikov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
DeNardo utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kerenzikov stopping the sweep attempt from DeNardo.

DeNardo working for a triangle but Kerenzikov defends it easily.
Kerenzikov is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kerenzikov with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

DeNardo is looking for a triangle but Kerenzikov pushes his legs off easily.
Kerenzikov trying to control but DeNardo is working from the bottom.
Kerenzikov throwing strikes from guard but DeNardo blocks nicely.

DeNardo working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kerenzikov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kerenzikov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Kerenzikov slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
DeNardo tries to buck Kerenzikov off but Kerenzikov is having none of it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
DeNardo struggling a bit here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kerenzikov trying to control the position but DeNardo is working away.
DeNardo is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Kerenzikov off and has taken his back!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
DeNardo throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.
Kerenzikov trying to control the position but DeNardo manages to sink in the hooks.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Kerenzikov defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
DeNardo is hanging on to Kerenzikov's back as he tries to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

A nice leg kick lands there from DeNardo.
Nice jab there from Kerenzikov.
Argivas Kerenzikov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kerenzikov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but DeNardo moves away.
DeNardo throws a leg kick but Kerenzikov checks it.

DeNardo shoots in and bounces Kerenzikov off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Kerenzikov keeping moving, preventing DeNardo from controlling successfully.
Kerenzikov wants to stand up but DeNardo is controlling him.
Kerenzikov is trying to keep DeNardo in close.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kerenzikov is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because DeNardo is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

We're going to have a standup here because Argivas Kerenzikov wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Kerenzikov throws a push kick but DeNardo slaps the foot to one side.
DeNardo lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
DeNardo shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kerenzikov as he jumps to the side.
Kerenzikov moves in looking to clinch but DeNardo pushes him off.
Kerenzikov tries to close the distance and clinch but DeNardo swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
DeNardo drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Kerenzikov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from DeNardo.
Kerenzikov throws a right and a left that DeNardo avoids nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
DeNardo looks to land a body kick but Kerenzikov moved away.
A head kick misses from Kerenzikov.
DeNardo throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Kerenzikov on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by DeNardo. DeNardo obviously looking to wear him down.
DeNardo avoids a punch combination nicely.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from DeNardo. Kerenzikov shrugs it off though.
Kerenzikov throws a hook but DeNardo blocks it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
DeNardo thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Kerenzikov if he has to take too many more of those.
DeNardo lands with a kick to the ribs.
Kerenzikov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
DeNardo cracks the inside of Kerenzikov's front leg.
Argivas Kerenzikov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
DeNardo moves away from the strike by Kerenzikov.
Kerenzikov misses the shot to the body.
Kerenzikov doesn't manage to clinch there - DeNardo circles away.
DeNardo looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
DeNardo connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Kerenzikov momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice inside leg kick there by DeNardo. That's going to slow Kerenzikov down.
Kerenzikov avoids a kick to the body.
A jab from DeNardo finds it's way through Kerenzikov's defenses.
DeNardo shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kerenzikov as he avoids it easily.
Argivas Kerenzikov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dom DeNardo.
DeNardo works Kerenzikov's body with a nice hook.
Both fighters circling a little - DeNardo finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Good leg kick by DeNardo there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
DeNardo connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Kerenzikov's hands.
DeNardo lands a body shot.
DeNardo tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kerenzikov swivels and escapes.
DeNardo catches Kerenzikov with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
DeNardo throws a nice inside leg kick.
Kerenzikov is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
DeNardo ducks under a wild hook from Kerenzikov.
DeNardo lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kerenzikov takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Kerenzikov misses with the combination.
DeNardo throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Dom DeNardo seems to be getting the better of the standup.
DeNardo moves out of range as Kerenzikov strikes.
Kerenzikov tries to clinch up but DeNardo circles away and keeps his distance.
Kerenzikov takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
DeNardo uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kerenzikov.
Kerenzikov lands a jab.
DeNardo explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Kerenzikov throws a one two combo.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
DeNardo lands a nice leg kick that just misses Kerenzikov's sensitive parts.
DeNardo ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
DeNardo lands a jab.
Kerenzikov lands a head shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dom DeNardo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Nice shot lands for DeNardo.
Kerenzikov throws a sloppy head kick

and DeNardo counters with a takedown into side control.
Kerenzikov has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Kerenzikov dodges the ground and pound from DeNardo.
Kerenzikov parries the strikes from DeNardo easily there. DeNardo is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Kerenzikov to escape.
DeNardo creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Kerenzikov sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
DeNardo wants to control for a moment but Kerenzikov uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
DeNardo throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
DeNardo throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Kerenzikov blocking the ground and pound attempt from DeNardo.
DeNardo controlling the action here.
DeNardo prevents Kerenzikov from standing back up.
Argivas Kerenzikov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

DeNardo is working for a submission of some sort.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kerenzikov is refusing to be controlled, as DeNardo sits in half guard.
DeNardo not doing much here.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Dom DeNardo has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Kerenzikov is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kerenzikov loads up on a big right hand but DeNardo slips the punch.
A jab from Kerenzikov misses.
Kerenzikov will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Kerenzikov misses with a right hand

and DeNardo counters with a nice double leg into guard.
DeNardo stands up over Kerenzikov, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
DeNardo looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
DeNardo pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kerenzikov is keeping the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
DeNardo throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kerenzikov keeping moving, preventing DeNardo from controlling successfully.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
DeNardo controls from within his opponent's guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

We're going to have a standup here because Argivas Kerenzikov wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Kerenzikov blocks the body kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dom DeNardo really dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kerenzikov misses with a wild body shot.
Kerenzikov looks to land a right hand but DeNardo moved out of range.
Kerenzikov throws an ugly left hook that misses

and DeNardo counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by DeNardo.
DeNardo showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Kerenzikov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for DeNardo. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
DeNardo works over Kerenzikov with some ground and pound from guard.
DeNardo sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Kerenzikov's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kerenzikov trying to control from the bottom.
DeNardo sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Kerenzikov defending well though.
Kerenzikov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
DeNardo wants to advance to full mount but Kerenzikov doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
DeNardo postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
DeNardo sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Kerenzikov's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kerenzikov has hold of DeNardo's hands but DeNardo slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

DeNardo is working for a kimura from half guard. He's really concentrating on the hold and it's allowed Kerenzikov to slip a leg under and get back to full guard.
DeNardo wants to pass the guard but Kerenzikov is keeping the position.
DeNardo throws a big elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
DeNardo trying to control but Kerenzikov is working from the bottom.
Kerenzikov wants to sweep here but DeNardo controlling him for the moment.
DeNardo throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kerenzikov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kerenzikov trying to keep a closed guard but DeNardo is proving a slippery customer.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
DeNardo takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
DeNardo throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kerenzikov looks to land a body kick but DeNardo moved away.
Kerenzikov throws a series of punches but DeNardo moves out of range.
Kerenzikov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract DeNardo.
DeNardo scores with a jab.
Argivas Kerenzikov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kerenzikov bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Kerenzikov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
DeNardo smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
DeNardo lands a nice leg kick that just misses Kerenzikov's sensitive parts.
Kerenzikov misses with an uppercut. DeNardo saw that one coming.
A lazy left from DeNardo finds it's target.
Kerenzikov throws a combination that misses

and DeNardo counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kerenzikov looking to control.
DeNardo throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dom DeNardo dominated that fourth round.
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. This is the final round!

DeNardo dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
DeNardo cracks Kerenzikov with a good jab.
DeNardo smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

Kerenzikov is rocked!
DeNardo slips under a jab from Kerenzikov.
Oh Kerenzikov is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
A decent looking body kick lands there for DeNardo.
Kerenzikov seems to have got his legs back now.
Kerenzikov misses with a hook to the body

and DeNardo counters with a single leg into guard. Kerenzikov didn't expect that.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
DeNardo pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kerenzikov is keeping the position for now.
DeNardo is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
DeNardo looking to sit in guard and control but Kerenzikov gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

DeNardo working for a triangle but Kerenzikov defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
DeNardo looking for a sweep. Not yet DeNardo, not yet.
Kerenzikov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kerenzikov throws a big right hand that misses.
Kerenzikov throws a strike but DeNardo rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
DeNardo throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
DeNardo looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
DeNardo wants to control from the top but Kerenzikov keeps moving.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Kerenzikov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Dom DeNardo is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
DeNardo looking to sit in guard and control but Kerenzikov gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Kerenzikov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Kerenzikov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Kerenzikov distracts DeNardo with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
DeNardo is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Argivas Kerenzikov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
DeNardo might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Kerenzikov haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Kerenzikov throwing strikes but missing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kerenzikov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Kerenzikov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kerenzikov throwing strikes from guard but DeNardo blocks nicely.
DeNardo controls Kerenzikov momentarily but Kerenzikov frees himself.
Kerenzikov is in close to DeNardo's body, working some short punches and elbows.
DeNardo controls Kerenzikov momentarily but Kerenzikov frees himself.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kerenzikov lands a couple of digs.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Kerenzikov got a little sloppy there for a moment and DeNardo has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kerenzikov has managed to get both his arms back between DeNardo's legs - danger averted.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dom DeNardo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think DeNardo has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 46:49
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 46:49
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dom DeNardo!
Dom DeNardo is the new heavyweight champion!