PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Troy Morningstar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Denny Prokopos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters really staring eachother down here, as Denny Prokopos enters the cage!

Morningstar
vs
Prokopos

157 cm
18
140 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

180 cm
22
135 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Cuts easily

Good takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Troy Morningstar!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Denny Prokopos!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Emerson Jorge and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Prokopos blocks a head kick by Morningstar.
Nice sprawl there from Morningstar as Prokopos shoots in.
Prokopos looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Morningstar is fending him off so far but Prokopos persists. Nope, Morningstar circles away and we're back to standing.
Prokopos throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Morningstar's waist but Morningstar gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Prokopos off to one side.
Troy Morningstar has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Denny Prokopos.

Prokopos closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Morningstar tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Prokopos wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Prokopos controls the position from side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Prokopos tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Prokopos controlling the position.

That's two 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.
Morningstar pushes Prokopos away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Prokopos gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Morningstar is trying to escape the position but Prokopos is controlling the position.
I looks like Prokopos might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morningstar is not content to let Prokopos control the position.
Morningstar is looking for a sweep.
Morningstar seems a little lost for a moment, as Prokopos dominates the positioning.

Despite being in the dominant position, Denny Prokopos just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Morningstar misses with a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Prokopos changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Morningstar tries to avoid it but Prokopos manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Morningstar to the ground. Morningstar escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Prokopos fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Prokopos shoots for a takedown but Morningstar saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Prokopos tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Morningstar swivels and escapes.

Prokopos drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Prokopos content to stall in guard here.
Prokopos looks gassed!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Morningstar not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Denny Prokopos dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Prokopos shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Prokopos was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Prokopos controlling the position easily from mount.
Prokopos wants to take Morningstar's back here but Morningstar is holding on to an arm, himself looking to escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Prokopos goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Morningstar turns into him and now he's in Prokopos's guard.

Prokopos is looking for a triangle but Morningstar pushes his legs off easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Prokopos 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.
Prokopos is looking to sweep but instead, Morningstar has passed into half guard.
Prokopos is looking to control Morningstar's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Prokopos avoid being mounted?
Morningstar tries to stand but his arm is trapped.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Prokopos slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Prokopos holds on and takes a little breather.

Prokopos is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Morningstar could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

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.
Morningstar trying to control but Prokopos is working from the bottom.
Prokopos looking for a sweep. Not yet Prokopos, not yet.
Prokopos has control of Morningstar's left arm, preventing Morningstar from doing any damage.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Morningstar wants to stand but Prokopos has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Denny Prokopos 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. This is the final round!

Prokopos closes this distance looking for a takedown but Morningstar circles away.
Denny Prokopos is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Prokopos fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Prokopos gets the takedown into side control.
Morningstar prevents Prokopos from moving into mount.
You can see the frustration on Morningstar's face as Prokopos controls the position.
Prokopos tries to move into full mount but can't pass Morningstar's legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morningstar being controlled for a moment.
Prokopos takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Morningstar prevents Prokopos from improving position.

Prokopos wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Morningstar, who protects the arm well.
Morningstar might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Prokopos is looking to take a break and control but Morningstar is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Prokopos throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Morningstar's waist but Morningstar gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Prokopos off to one side.
Troy Morningstar has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Denny Prokopos.
Prokopos shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Prokopos closes this distance looking for a takedown but Morningstar circles away.

Prokopos gets the takedown into side control.
Morningstar is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Prokopos is controlling him well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Morningstar is not content to let Prokopos control the position.
Prokopos slows the pace down.

And that's the end of the fight!
Denny Prokopos comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Prokopos winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Thiago Cunha scores the fight 27:30
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Denny Prokopos!