PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Matt Serra (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and KJ Dempsey (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Serra
vs
Dempsey

180 cm
23
205 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

181 cm
19
216 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

Dangerous GnP
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Hellbent, Inc.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Matt Serra!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, KJ Dempsey!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Chad Campbell and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dempsey lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Serra circles away quickly and effectively.
Dempsey throws a hook to the side of Serra's head but Serra sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Serra takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Serra closes this distance looking for a takedown but Dempsey circles away.
Serra closes the distance and clinches up with Dempsey, looking for a takedown. Serra pushes Dempsey against the cage but Dempsey circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Serra shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Dempsey as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matt Serra. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dempsey swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Matt Serra seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dempsey scores with a shot to the body.
Serra is breathing heavily.
Serra gets cracked there but stands up to it.

It looks like Matt Serra has been cut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
No joy there for Dempsey, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Serra shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Dempsey as he avoids it easily.
Serra showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Dempsey.
Nice cross by Dempsey.
Dempsey cracks Serra with a big right hand and Serra goes down!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dempsey trying to control but Serra is working from the bottom.
Dempsey with a nice head shot there.
Dempsey scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Dempsey lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Dempsey sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Serra's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dempsey is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Dempsey lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Dempsey working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Dempsey landing strikes from the mount and Serra is in trouble!
Dempsey is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Serra can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Dempsey fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Serra taking shots to the head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dempsey lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Dempsey scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Serra?
Dempsey unloading with bombs!
Dempsey lands a heavy elbow.
The referee warns Serra that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Dempsey tries to control but Serra wriggling away.
Dempsey breaks from Serra's wrist control and lands an elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee warns Serra that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Dempsey is landing with some decent strikes but Serra is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Serra is trying to escape the mount.
Dempsey scoring with strikes but Serra is staying in there.
Dempsey landing strikes from the mount and Serra is in trouble!
Dempsey landing punches.
Dempsey lands with some strikes.
Dempsey lands a heavy elbow.
Dempsey lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Dempsey working Serra over with strikes here.
Dempsey lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Dempsey with good strikes from the mount here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dempsey with a couple of short strikes.
Dempsey lands a heavy elbow.
Dempsey lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Serra hang on?
Dempsey lands a big elbow.
Dempsey with shots to the head and body - Serra looks very uncomfortable down there.
Dempsey trying to control but Serra is having none of it.
Serra is looking to improve his position but Dempsey isn't that keen on the idea.
BOOM! Dempsey connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Serra is trying desperately to improve position.
Dempsey pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Serra is wriggling around trying to escape.
BOOM! Dempsey connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Serra wants to control but Dempsey is having none of it.
Dempsey landing strikes from the mount and Serra is in trouble!
Dempsey lands a big shot there that rocks Serra but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
A nice elbow there by Dempsey.
Dempsey unloading with bombs!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Serra taking shots to the head.
Dempsey scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Dempsey with a couple of short strikes.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Dempsey lands a big elbow.
Serra in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Dempsey landing strikes, looking to finish!
Serra is in all sorts of trouble here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

KJ Dempsey dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Matt Serra's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Dempsey wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Dempsey throws a series of punches but Serra avoids them all with ease.

Serra gets a takedown into half guard.
Dempsey connecting with a few gentle strikes.
Serra throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Serra passes into side control, despite Dempsey's attempt to control the position.
Serra is putting a hurting on Dempsey here, landing some big shots from side control.
Serra fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Dempsey is not content to let Serra control the position.
Dempsey is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Serra off and has taken his back!
KJ Dempsey has got the better of the ground game so far.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Dempsey wants to control but Serra is keeping busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dempsey scores with punches and elbows.
Serra tries to roll but Dempsey sticks to his back.
Dempsey tries to get the hooks in deep but Serra pushed the leg off.
Dempsey lands shots from the back.

Dempsey looking to break Serra's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Serra remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Dempsey will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Serra trying to control the position but Dempsey manages to sink in the hooks.
Dempsey lands with a big left hand that may well have hurt his opponent. Can Serra hold on?!
Dempsey just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
Dempsey is landing with strikes from the back.
Serra grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.
Dempsey lands with a nice looking elbow that stuns Serra.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dempsey is not going to allow Serra to sit and survive in this position.
Serra is really stuck here.
Dempsey lands with a couple of good shots - one to the side of the head and one questionable shot that could be viewed as to the back of the head but the referee lets it go.
Serra tries to break free.
Watch the back of the head! Comes the shout from the referee towards Dempsey.
Dempsey lands with a nice looking elbow that stuns Serra.
Dempsey lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Serra tries to escape the position.
Dempsey lands a punch that was close to the back of the head but the ref thinks it's OK.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dempsey struggling to keep hold of the position.
Dempsey connects with a big shot to the side of Serra's head.
Serra is covering up but some of the strikes from Dempsey are getting through and doing damage.
Dempsey lands a punch that was close to the back of the head but the ref thinks it's OK.
Dempsey scores with punches to the body.
Can Serra hold on?! Dempsey is landing more strikes to his hapless foe.
Can Serra hold on?! Dempsey is landing more strikes to his hapless foe.
Serra is trapped and Dempsey is scoring with shots to the head and body.
Serra trying to control but not successfully.
Serra takes a big shot to the side of the head.

Dempsey patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Dempsey is striking from the back but Serra escapes and manages to recover to half guard.
Dempsey is pressing down on Serra's thigh, looking to free his foot. Serra is holding on for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dempsey thows a huge punch but Serra dodges it nicely.
Dempsey looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Serra makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Serra.
Serra looking to hit a scissor sweep but Dempsey is one step ahead there.
Serra tries to strike from the bottom.
Dempsey has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Dempsey not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Serra keeping busy, throwing shots from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

KJ Dempsey showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Matt Serra's cut.
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.

Nice body punch from Dempsey.
Dempsey throws a jab but it's blocked by Serra.
Dempsey looks to land a left hand but Serra moved out of range nicely.
Serra closes the distance and clinches up with Dempsey, looking for a takedown. Serra pushes Dempsey against the cage but Dempsey circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Serra dodges the punch combination from Dempsey.
Dempsey lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Dempsey throws an overhand right that lands on Serra's shoulder, as Serra tries to avoid the shot.
Serra has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Dempsey finds it's way round the side to connect with Serra's head.
KJ Dempsey seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Good standup being displayed there by Dempsey as he connects with a hook.
Serra defending well as Dempsey loads up on a big left hand.
Dempsey throws a series of punches but Serra avoids them all with ease.
Dempsey looks to land a left hand but Serra moved out of range nicely.
Serra closes the distance and clinches up with Dempsey, looking for a takedown. Serra pushes Dempsey against the cage but Dempsey circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Serra drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Dempsey throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Serra looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matt Serra. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A cross from Dempsey lands.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Serra fails with a takedown attempt.
Dempsey throws a right and a left that both miss.
Serra slips under a jab from Dempsey.
KJ Dempsey is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Serra tries to clinch but Dempsey is having none of it.
The crowd cheers as Dempsey lands an impressive looking overhand right. Serra doesn't seem phased though.
Dempsey misses the shot to the body.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Serra.
Serra grinds an elbow into Dempsey's temple.
Serra grinds an elbow into Dempsey's temple.
Dempsey is trying to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dempsey is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Serra in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Dempsey throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Serra on the side of the head.
Dempsey lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Dempsey.
Serra avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Serra.
Dempsey tries to buck Serra off but Serra is having none of it.
Dempsey tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Serra presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dempsey working to try and regain half guard.
Serra working Dempsey over with strikes here.
Serra thowing shots but they're missing.
Dempsey is looking to improve his position but Serra isn't that keen on the idea.

Serra jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Dempsey is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Dempsey and Serra has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Dempsey tries to strike but it doesn't land.
Serra in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.

That's four 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.
Dempsey struggling a bit here.
Dempsey manages to work his way to half guard, despite Serra's best efforts.
Dempsey slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Dempsey working a defensive guard here.
Dempsey wants to sweep here but Serra controlling him for the moment.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Serra's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Dempsey wants to sweep but no luck.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

KJ Dempsey really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Matt Serra's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Serra closes the distance and clinches up with Dempsey, looking for a takedown. Serra pushes Dempsey against the cage but Dempsey circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Dempsey throws a right and a left that Serra avoids nicely.
Serra takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Dempsey throws a series of punches but Serra moves out of range.
Serra has a takedown stuffed.

Serra feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Serra landing some decent shots from guard.
Dempsey lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Serra!
Dempsey with shots to the head and body - Serra looks very uncomfortable down there.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Serra takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Dempsey is landing with some decent strikes but Serra is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Dempsey lands a big shot there that rocks Serra but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Serra holds on for dear life.
Serra tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Dempsey landing punches.
Dempsey punishing his opponent with strikes.
Serra really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
BOOM! Dempsey connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Dempsey landing strikes from the mount.
Dempsey postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Serra looks a forlorn figure.
Dempsey lands a big shot there that rocks Serra but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dempsey with the ground and pound from mount.
Dempsey lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Serra is trying desperately to improve position.
A nice elbow there by Dempsey.
A nice elbow there by Dempsey.
Serra in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Dempsey working the ground and pound effectively.
Serra taking shots to the head.
Dempsey scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Serra tries to reverse the position but Dempsey maintains control.
Dempsey trying to control but Serra is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice elbow there by Dempsey.
Dempsey landing strikes from the mount.
Dempsey avoids the attempt from Serra to control.
Dempsey landing strikes from the mount.
Dempsey with shots to the head and body - Serra looks very uncomfortable down there.
Dempsey looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Dempsey lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Serra really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Dempsey breaks from Serra's wrist control and lands an elbow.

That's four 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.
Dempsey cracks Serra with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Dempsey working Serra over with strikes here.
Serra is desperately trying to improve his position but Dempsey has a good base and remains in mount.
Dempsey cracks Serra with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Serra really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Dempsey looking to finish Serra with some ground and pound. This is bad for Serra!
Serra tries to reverse the position but Dempsey maintains control.
Dempsey landing strikes, looking to finish!
Dempsey lands a big shot there that rocks Serra but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Dempsey punishing his opponent with strikes.
Dempsey landing strikes from the mount.
Dempsey putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

KJ Dempsey dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Matt Serra's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

No luck for Serra with that takedown attempt.
Dempsey lands with a hook. Serra tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Dempsey scores with a jab.
Dempsey misses with a straight left.
Dempsey connects with a nice looking jab.
Dempsey throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Serra uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Dempsey.

Dempsey forces Serra back against the cage and clinches.
Serra tries to score a body lock takedown but Dempsey shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Serra jumps guard but Dempsey stands there with Serra around his waist. Serra gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matt Serra. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dempsey scores with a nice hook to the head.
Dempsey controlling the action here for a moment.
A short right from Dempsey.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Serra takes a shot to the head.
Serra goes for a takedown attempt but Dempsey pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Dempsey lands a two punch combo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dempsey will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Serra gets a takedown into half guard.

Serra seems to be looking for submissions.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Dempsey is trying to stand.

Serra is working for a submission of some sort.
Dempsey moves into full guard.
Dempsey is looking to stand up but Serra isn't so interested in that idea.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dempsey looking to hit a scissor sweep but Serra is one step ahead there.
Serra works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Serra working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Dempsey moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Serra preventing the sweep.

Dempsey has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Serra can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Serra trying to control but Dempsey is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dempsey wants to sweep here but Serra controlling him for the moment.
Serra trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Dempsey bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Serra's guard.
Dempsey postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Dempsey is working Serra over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Dempsey postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Dempsey throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Serra works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Dempsey avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Serra looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Dempsey puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dempsey looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Dempsey working the head and body with strikes.
Serra is looking for a sweep. Dempsey is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Dempsey passes the guard and advances to mount!
Dempsey lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Matt Serra has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Dempsey lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Serra is in a horrible position here. Dempsey smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Dempsey lands a big shot there that rocks Serra but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Serra gets back to half guard.
KJ Dempsey is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Serra is trying to get back to full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
KJ Dempsey comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Dempsey has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 44:50
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 44:50
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 44:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... KJ Dempsey!
KJ Dempsey is the new light heavyweight champion!