PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Rikiya Goromaru (ranked 1486 p4p, 2404 weight class) and Rukter Demenok (ranked 162 p4p, 243 weight class). Demenok has chosen The Lighthouse Speech as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Goromaru
vs
Demenok

170 cm
24
145
5 - 5 - 0

168 cm
23
146
4 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Knock Out Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Rikiya Goromaru!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rukter Demenok!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, David Schapiro and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Demenok tries to land a front kick but Goromaru steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Goromaru was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Goromaru throws an overhand right that lands on Demenok's shoulder, as Demenok tries to avoid the shot.
Demenok swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Demenok circles away from the clinch attempt
and Demenok counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Demenok takes a swing at Goromaru's ribcage but misses.
Goromaru keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A counter left hand to the body from Goromaru misses its target.
Good work by Goromaru as he checks the leg kick.
Demenok throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Goromaru feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Demenok works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Goromaru tries to clinch but Demenok is having none of it.
A big left from Demenok misses.
Goromaru was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Demenok lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Demenok throws an overhand right that lands on Goromaru's shoulder, as Goromaru tries to avoid the shot.
Demenok's coach down at Chakuriki LA Gym was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Demenok's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Goromaru shoots in but no luck this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Demenok finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Goromaru 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.
A solid leg kick lands there for Demenok.
Demenok jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Demenok throws out a loose jab but Goromaru uses good head movement to avoid it.
Demenok will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Goromaru takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Demenok smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
A telegraphed right hand from Demenok misses the target.
A counter left hand to the body from Goromaru misses its target.
Demenok throws an off balance right hand
and Goromaru counters with a right hand to the body.
Demenok throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Goromaru makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Goromaru!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Demenok ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Goromaru moves away.
Goromaru is looking to counter punch.

Goromaru closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Demenok's guard.
Goromaru trying to control but Demenok is working from the bottom.
Goromaru looking to sit in guard and control but Demenok gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Demenok really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Goromaru. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Goromaru is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Demenok defends well.

Goromaru is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Demenok defends well.
Demenok wants to pass the guard but Goromaru is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Demenok trying to control the position from guard on top but Goromaru is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Demenok won't allow Goromaru to sweep him here.
Demenok's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Goromaru working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Demenok doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Demenok manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Demenok trying to control but Goromaru is working from the bottom.

Goromaru looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Demenok controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Goromaru looking to hit a scissor sweep but Demenok is one step ahead there.
Goromaru is working hard here to advance position.

Demenok avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Goromaru looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Demenok is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Goromaru working for a triangle but Demenok defends it easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Goromaru catches Demenok with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Goromaru scores with a nice strike.
Demenok lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Goromaru backs up against the cage.
Demenok misses the shot to the body.
Goromaru throwing a counter right hand but Demenok manages to avoid it.
Goromaru misses the jab.
Goromaru looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Goromaru lands a slapping body shot.
Demenok misses with a body shot.
Goromaru tried to counter with a leg kick but Demenok avoided it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Goromaru tests Demenok's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Demenok with a hook.
Goromaru scores with a decent looking hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Goromaru shoots for a takedown but Demenok saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Demenok only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Rukter Demenok seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Goromaru displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Demenok throws out the jab.
Demenok throws a lazy right hand but Goromaru sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Goromaru gets a clinch.
Goromaru blocks a body shot from Demenok.
Goromaru lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Goromaru blocking some punches.
Goromaru misses with a punch to the body.
Goromaru scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Demenok lands a body punch in the clinch.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
A right hook to the body lands for Demenok.
Goromaru lands a right hand that snaps the head of Demenok backwards.
A hook to the body from Demenok.
Demenok being controlled against the cage.
Demenok doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Demenok blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Goromaru makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Demenok lands a body punch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A right handed body shot lands from Demenok.
Demenok lands with a left to the head.

Demenok breaks the clinch.
Rukter Demenok seems to be getting the better of the standup.
The fight stays on the outside here - Goromaru looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A nice side step and Demenok releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Goromaru moves away from the strike by Demenok.
Demenok changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Demenok throws a leg kick which misses Goromaru's front leg but catches the back leg as Goromaru tries to avoid it.
Goromaru closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Demenok throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Demenok takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

It looks like Rukter Demenok has been cut.
Demenok lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Demenok scores with a leg kick.
Goromaru uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Demenok.
Demenok scores with a spinning back kick!
Goromaru on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Goromaru misses the jab.
Demenok throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Goromaru stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Goromaru uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Demenok.
Demenok misses with a straight left.
A quick step to the side and Goromaru tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Demenok looks to throw a body kick
and Goromaru counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Goromaru misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Goromaru with a lazy takedown attempt
and Demenok counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Goromaru misses with a right hand
and Demenok counters with a straight right hand.
A nice leg kick from Demenok, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Demenok lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Goromaru takes a shot to the body in his stride.

Goromaru forces Demenok back against the cage and clinches.
Demenok blocks an uppercut.
Demenok misses with a short punch on the inside.
Goromaru throws a head punch that misses.
Demenok can't find room to land a body shot as Goromaru controls the action.
Goromaru lands a shoulder strike.
Goromaru tries to circle away but Demenok has him pinned against the cage.
Demenok pushes Goromaru back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Goromaru lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Demenok backwards.
Goromaru misses with a punch on the inside.
Demenok throws a punch but it's blocked by Goromaru.
Demenok misses with a hook to the ribs.
Demenok struggles to land a body shot inside as Goromaru controls his hands.
Demenok lands a body shot in the clinch.
A right handed body shot lands from Goromaru.
Goromaru jumps guard but Demenok stands there with Goromaru around his waist. Goromaru gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Rukter Demenok will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Rukter Demenok's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Demenok lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Demenok missing with a left hand there. Goromaru was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Demenok works the jab nicely.
An inside leg kick from Demenok misses.
Goromaru swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Goromaru takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Goromaru moves out of range of the strikes.
A telegraphed right hand from Goromaru misses the target.
Demenok swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Goromaru appears to be looking for a big counter.
Demenok has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Demenok tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Goromaru was well out of range. Poor timing from Demenok.
Demenok fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Goromaru looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Goromaru misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Demenok.
Demenok looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Goromaru closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Rukter Demenok is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Goromaru looks to throw the jab but Demenok is out of range.
Demenok was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Demenok lands a nice looking body kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Goromaru misses the target.
A little jabbing left from Demenok on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Demenok missing with a left hand there. Goromaru was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Demenok lands with a cross.
Demenok misses the shot to the body.
A nice leg kick lands there from Demenok.
Goromaru uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Demenok.
Goromaru is looking to counter punch.
Demenok throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Goromaru stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Goromaru fails in his attempt to clinch.
Demenok ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Goromaru misses with a right hand
and Demenok counters with a nice uppercut.
Demenok throws a jab when Goromaru was well out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Demenok lands a jab to Goromaru's midsection.
Demenok looks to score with a jab to the body but Goromaru is just out of range.
Goromaru throws a hook but Demenok blocks it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Goromaru takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Demenok scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Demenok lunges at Goromaru with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Goromaru's hand.
Demenok tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
As Demenok backs away, Goromaru returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Demenok shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Demenok cracks Goromaru with an open hand slap.
Demenok scores with a kick to the body.
Goromaru with a jab.
Demenok fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Goromaru is out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Goromaru cracks Demenok with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Good standup being displayed there by Goromaru as he connects with a hook.
Demenok dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Goromaru lands a jab.
Goromaru attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Demenok lands a nice shot to the body.
Rikiya Goromaru has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Demenok avoids the body shot from Goromaru.
Demenok misses with a hook
and Goromaru counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Goromaru doesn't manage to clinch there - Demenok circles away.
Goromaru fails to land the takedown.
Goromaru misses with an uppercut. Demenok saw that one coming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Demenok throws a hook but Goromaru avoids it easily.
Demenok scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Goromaru doesn't seem bothered though.
Goromaru tries to clinch
enabling Demenok to counter with a crisp jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Demenok scores with a crisp jab that stopped Goromaru in his tracks.
The fight stays on the outside here - Goromaru looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A left lands for Demenok.
Demenok lands a jab to Goromaru's midsection.
Nice uppercut lands for Demenok. That snapped Goromaru's head back.
Demenok connects with a single shot there.
Demenok stuns Goromaru with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Rukter Demenok is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Demenok scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Goromaru doesn't seem bothered though.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rukter Demenok comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Demenok 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 Lou da Vinci scores the fight 27:30
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 27:30
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rukter Demenok!
An out of breath Rukter Demenok thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.