PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Proper Communist (ranked 1133 p4p, 139 weight class) and Abraham Durden (ranked 1705 p4p, 203 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?

Communist
vs
Durden

176 cm
31
160 lbs
8 - 6 - 2

180 cm
28
158 lbs
9 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

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 8 - 6 - 2, fighting out of Amsterdam, Proper Communist!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Abraham Durden!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Durden ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Communist moves away.
Good exchange - Durden coming out on top.
Nice shot lands for Durden.
Communist looks to score with a jab to the body but Durden is just out of range.
Communist uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Durden.
A telegraphed right hand from Communist misses the target.
Communist misses with a looping right.
Jab by Durden.
Communist throws the left hand but Durden avoids the punch easily.
Jab, jab by Communist - just one landing.
Communist takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

Communist gets tackled into the cage by Durden. Durden maintains the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Durden.
Communist doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Communist misses with a punch on the inside.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Durden lands an uppercut.
Durden swings wildly with an uppercut but Communist uses good head movement to avoid it.
Communist lands a body punch in the clinch.
Communist lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Durden misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Durden pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Communist misses with an uppercut. Durden saw that one coming.
Durden has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Durden there as he acknowledges the shot.
Abraham Durden seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A telegraphed right hand from Communist misses the target.
Durden looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Durden digs a good hook to Communist's body.
Communist lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
A big left from Durden misses.
Communist throws a predictable looking body shot
and Durden counters with a slapping leg kick.
Communist ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Durden moves away.

Communist closes the distance and clinches.

Durden pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Communist throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Durden sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Durden thows a left - swing and a miss!
Durden ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Communist moves away.
Durden lands a nice leg kick that just misses Communist's sensitive parts.
Communist is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Durden.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Durden fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Communist has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Communist wants to clinch up but Durden keeps it at a distance.
It seemed like Durden was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Durden swings for the body but Communist moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Durden uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Communist.
Communist throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Durden sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Durden slips a straight right by Communist.
Communist fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Durden.
Durden throws a wild body kick that Communist sees coming a mile off.
Communist tries to clinch there but Durden circles away.
Durden throws a lazy right hand but Communist sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Communist misses with a low kick.

Communist moves into the clinch.
Communist blocks an uppercut.
Communist digs a right hand underneath Durden's ribcage. Durden let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Communist lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Durden misses with a punch on the inside.
Communist prevents Durden from breaking the clinch.
Durden tries to work over Communist's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Durden lands with a short shot to the head.
A head punch on the inside from Communist fails to land.
Durden misses with the head strike.
Durden struggles to land a body shot inside as Communist controls his hands.
Communist blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Communist throws a punch but it's blocked by Durden.
A short right from Communist on the inside.
Communist prevents a body shot from Durden.
A head punch on the inside from Durden fails to land.
Communist tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Durden is looking to break free of the clinch but Communist has double underhooks.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Communist.
Durden has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Communist seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Durden can turn it around.
Durden tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Durden blocks an elbow strike from Communist.
Durden lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Communist backwards.
Communist fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Durden misses with some punches.
Durden misses with a hook from the clinch.

Durden breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Communist avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Communist throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Durden sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Durden throws a hook to the side of Communist's head but Communist sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Durden throws a half hearted mid kick.
Durden lands an overhand right.
Communist uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Durden has time to react.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Durden misses with a looping right.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Durden connects with a looping right hand.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Durden crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Communist - the referee stops the clock and Durden gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Communist. Durden manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Durden looks to land a left hand but Communist moved out of range nicely.
A telegraphed right hand from Communist misses the target.
Communist wants to clinch up but Durden keeps it at a distance.
Communist takes one to the side of the head.
Communist digs a good hook to Durden's body.
Communist misses with a hook.
Durden lands with an overhand left.
Communist tries to score with a low kick but Durden moves his leg out of the way.
Communist pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Communist throws a head kick that Durden semi-blocks.
Durden lands a nice leg kick that just misses Communist's sensitive parts.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Communist blocks a low kick nicely.
Communist has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Durden.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Durden, as that shot connected.
Durden tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Communist was well out of range. Poor timing from Durden.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Abraham Durden will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Durden motions for Communist to come forward. Durden throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Communist slips a jab from Durden.
Communist throws a hook to the side of Durden's head but Durden sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Communist throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Communist lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
A big left from Durden misses.
Communist is looking to counter with a body kick.
Communist jabs Durden right on the nose. Durden blinks but takes it well.
Communist looks to land a right hand but Durden moved out of range.
Durden keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Communist throws out a powerful jab.
Durden throws a body shot but no joy.
Durden misses with a straight left.
Durden lands with a cross.
Communist throws a leg kick that is checked
and Durden counters with a nice uppercut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Durden throws a jab when Communist was well out of range.
Durden lands a slapping body shot.
Durden throws a head kick that misses.
Durden throws out a loose jab but Communist uses good head movement to avoid it.
A slow jab from Communist misses its intended target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
That kick from Communist tenderised Durden's leg. Durden is trying to keep his angry face on.
Durden keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Durden moves away from the strike by Communist.
Communist attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
A shot to the liver by Communist. Beautiful body shot.
Communist is looking to clinch but Durden is avoiding it.
Communist throws a low kick but Durden moves out of range easily.
The fighters circling - Durden throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Communist seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Durden scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Durden tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Durden misses the shot to the body.
Durden tries to score with a low kick but Communist moves his leg out of the way.
Communist on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Communist lands with a hook. Durden tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Durden takes a swing at Communist's ribcage but misses.
Communist throws a quick inside leg kick.
Communist rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Durden counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Durden tries to clinch but Communist moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Communist misses with a straight right.
Communist blocks a low kick nicely.
Communist throws a big shot that misses.
Durden thuds his right hand into Communist's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Sloppy strikes from Communist. Those never looked like landing.
Durden slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Durden connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Communist closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Durden blocks a head kick by Communist.
Durden throws a body punch but Communist moves out of range.
Durden cracks Communist with a good jab.
Communist jabs at Durden's body.
Durden waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Communist.
It looked like Communist was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Communist takes a swing at Durden's ribcage but misses.
Durden uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Communist.
It seemed like Durden was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Durden paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Durden lets loose with a powerful body kick. Communist will feel that in the morning.
Durden misses with a wild body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Durden. Communist does a little dance to reset his feet.
Durden connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Durden moves out of range of the strikes.
Communist wants to clinch up but Durden keeps it at a distance.
Communist ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Communist comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Communist misses with a body kick.
A big right from Communist misses.
Durden throws a leg kick but Communist moved away.
Durden stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Communist on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Communist loads up on a big right hand but Durden slips the punch.
Durden avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Durden looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Durden slips under a jab from Communist.
Abraham Durden seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A nice inside leg kick there by Durden. That's going to slow Communist down.
Communist fails with an attempt to clinch.
Communist lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Durden throws the left hand but Communist avoids the punch easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Communist checks a low kick from Durden.
Communist is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Durden.
Durden misses with a wild body shot.
Communist thows a left - swing and a miss!
Communist is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Durden fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Durden.
Communist cracks Durden with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Durden looks to land a left hand but Communist moved out of range nicely.
Communist half committed to a counter leg kick.
Communist has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Durden finds it's way round the side to connect with Communist's head.
Communist misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Durden uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Communist.
Durden moves out of range as Communist strikes.
Communist catches Durden with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Communist buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nice straight punches there by Communist. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Communist.
Durden lands with a thumping leg kick.
Communist misses with a jab, cross combination.
Communist with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Abraham Durden will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

A swing and a miss from Durden.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Communist, as that shot connected.
Communist steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Durden.
Communist defending well as Durden loads up on a big left hand.
Communist throws out a loose jab but Durden uses good head movement to avoid it.
Durden throws a hook but Communist avoids it easily.
A bone on bone clash there as Communist blocks the leg kick.
Communist changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Durden tries to land a leg kick but Communist saw it coming and moves away.
Communist is looking to score with low kicks.
Durden throws a half hearted mid kick.
Nice body punch from Communist.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Communist throws a big shot that misses.
A swing and a miss from Communist.
Durden lands a lovely overhand right.
Durden misses the shot to the body.
Durden on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Communist slips a jab from Durden.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Durden misses the target.
Durden dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Communist throws the left hand but Durden avoids the punch easily.
Durden jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Communist lands a lovely overhand right.
Durden blocks a low kick nicely.
Communist uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Durden.
Communist misses with a body shot.
Communist misses with a hook. Durden ducked under it nicely.
Durden looks to land a body kick but Communist moved away.
Communist looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Communist takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Communist throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Durden throws a lazy right hand but Communist sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Durden blocks a jab.
Communist takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

Durden clinches up with Communist and pushes him back against the cage.
Communist tries to work over Durden's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Durden breaks from the clinch.
Proper Communist has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Durden staying out of range there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Communist stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Durden.
Durden lands a nice leg kick that just misses Communist's sensitive parts.
Communist pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Durden was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.

Communist clinches up against the cage.
Communist lands an elbow just above Durden 's eye.

It looks like Abraham Durden has been cut.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Communist.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Durden.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Durden.
Durden swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Durden breaks the clinch.
Durden walks into a stiff left hand from Communist.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Communist, as that shot connected.
Communist walks into a left hand.
Durden does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Communist just misses with a punch to the body.
Communist connects with a leg kick. Durden looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Communist gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Communist misses with a punch on the inside.
Durden tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Durden takes an elbow to the forehead.
Communist scores with an uppercut up the middle.

Durden breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nice uppercut lands for Communist. That snapped Durden's head back.

Durden moves into the clinch successfully.
Durden doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Communist digs a right hand into Durden's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Durden's gas tank.
Communist looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Communist just misses with a elbow thrown towards Durden's brow.
Communist working aggressively here.
Durden misses with some punches.
Durden tries to work over Communist's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Communist misses with some punches.
Durden lands on the inside with an uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Communist.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Durden wants to break free but Communist has control.
Communist blocks a body shot from Durden.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Communist.
Communist blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Communist misses with a punch on the inside.
Durden working aggressively here.
Durden has had enough of the clinch but Communist keeps him there for the moment.
Durden blocks a body shot from Communist.
Proper Communist has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Durden breaks from the clinch.
Durden throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Communist. Durden does a little dance to reset his feet.
Communist connects with a jab.
Durden keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Communist.
Durden swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Communist throws a leg kick but Durden sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Durden tries a quick counter leg kick but Communist is wise to it.
Communist tries to clinch up.
Durden misses with a hook. Communist ducked under it nicely.
Durden walks into a straight right hand from Communist.
Durden missing with a left hand there. Communist was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Abraham Durden is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Durden thows a left - swing and a miss!
Communist connects with a leg kick. Durden looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Proper Communist.
I think Durden 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Abraham Durden!