PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Denzel Hastings (ranked 4097 p4p, 4116 weight class) and Blade Rox (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Hastings
vs
Rox

180 cm
22
155
0 - 0 - 0

160 cm
18
150
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Denzel Hastings!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Blade Rox!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Michael Johnstone and Sandra Marshall.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rox moves into range and clinches up with Hastings.

Hastings gets control of Rox's arms and successfully pulls guard. Hastings will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Rox trying to control but Hastings is working from the bottom.
Rox in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Rox must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Hastings wants to improve his position but instead Rox has moved into half guard.
Rox is pressing down on Hastings's thigh, looking to free his foot. Hastings is holding on for now.
Hastings is holding on to half guard well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rox content to control rather than advance.
Rox really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Hastings. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Rox blocks the strikes from Hastings.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hastings looking for submissions off his back.
Hastings manages to get to full guard.

Rox has gone for a leg lock! Hastings slips out almost immediately though and dives into Rox's guard.

Hastings is looking to stand up but Rox won't let him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hastings tries to free his leg and advance position but Rox is retaining full guard.

Rox throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Hastings tries to free his leg and advance position but Rox is retaining full guard.
Rox is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Rox 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.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Hastings is working Rox over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Hastings is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Hastings passes Rox's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Hastings perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hastings wants to stand but Rox has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Hastings will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Rox is in trouble now - Hastings has advanced to mount!
Rox keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hastings controlling the pace for now.
Hastings putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Hastings tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Hastings lands a big shot there that rocks Rox but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hastings takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Hastings postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Rox looks a forlorn figure.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Denzel Hastings dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Hastings closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Rox did well to prevent Hastings getting side control.
Hastings is looking to take a break and control but Rox is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Hastings is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Rox is trying to control but Hastings passes into side control!
Rox tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Hastings presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rox wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.

Rox defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hastings tries to get the hooks in deep but Rox pushed the leg off.

Hastings is working for the choke. I would put my money on him to finish from this position. He's rolled onto his back and has dragged Rox with him. Rox is trying to defend but Hastings has an arm under the chin now! Rox grimaces and is forced to tap out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:41 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Denzel Hastings!