PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between YUCEL BABA (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pablo Denari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). BABA comes to the cage accompanied by Warriors Of The World. Denari has chosen Judas Priest's Rapid Fire as his entrance music. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

BABA
vs
Denari

185 cm
22
184 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

205 cm
22
195 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Random Name Supplements

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, YUCEL BABA!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Pablo Denari!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, James Atkins and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Denari moves into the clinch.
BABA wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Denari has him pressed against the cage.
Denari prevents the takedown attempt.
Denari lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
BABA is trying to break free.
BABA wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
BABA wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
BABA wants to break free but Denari has control.
Denari gets underhooks to prevent BABA's takedown attempt.

BABA breaks the clinch.
Denari looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Denari thuds his shin into the meat of BABA's side.
Denari blocks a head kick by BABA.

Denari has managed to clinch.
Denari has BABA pushed against the cage.
The crowd are getting on Denari's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
BABA wants to get back to striking at distance but Denari won't allow it.
A body shot lands from Denari.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Denari.
Denari stalling the fight.
Denari using the Thai plumb to throw knees but BABA has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Denari.

Denari manages to break the clinch.
Denari lands a nice looking body kick.
BABA looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
BABA throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Denari's waist but Denari gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing BABA off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for YUCEL BABA. That's going to take a lot out of him.
BABA wants to clinch but Denari slips to the side
and Denari connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Denari lands with a shot to the body.
BABA is breathing heavily.
BABA swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Denari holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Denari makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

Denari escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Denari darts in and clinches BABA up against the cage.
Denari connects with a nasty looking knee right to BABA's face.
BABA is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Denari gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Denari breaks the clinch.

Denari rushes BABA and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
BABA can't get the takedown.
Come on Denari - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Denari is working BABA over against the cage.
BABA takes an elbow to the forehead.
Denari stalling in the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Denari.
BABA lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Denari backwards.
BABA tries to score a body lock takedown but Denari shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Denari using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Denari unloads a knee to the mid-section. BABA lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Denari is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Denari lands a right hand.
BABA is trying to break free.
BABA wants to break the clinch but can't.
BABA wants a takedown.
Denari lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
BABA wants a takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Denari.
BABA can't break the clinch.
BABA missing with knees to the body.

BABA works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Denari looking to hit a scissor sweep but BABA is one step ahead there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Denari has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Denari tries to land a sweep but no joy.
BABA wants to control from the top but Denari keeps moving.
Denari is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
BABA tries to stand but Denari is controlling from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

BABA stands up and waves to Denari to follow him.
BABA closes the distance but Denari moves to the side

and Denari holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Denari prevents BABA from breaking the clinch.
Denari lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Denari breaks from the clinch.

Denari has BABA up against the cage in a clinch.
Denari lands with a right to the head.
Denari using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
BABA wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Denari has him pressed against the cage.

BABA breaks from the clinch.
Denari misses with a two punch combination.
BABA misses with a double jab

and Denari counters by clinching up.
Denari lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
BABA wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Denari has him pressed against the cage.
Denari is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Denari landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
BABA has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Denari is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Denari is working BABA over against the cage.
Denari makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Denari lands a damaging elbow.
Denari avoiding damage.
Denari lands with a right to the head.
BABA takes a shot to the head.

Denari manages to break the clinch.

Denari moves into the clinch successfully.
Denari crunches a lovely knee into BABA's ribcage.
Denari lands a right hand.
Denari gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Denari lands a body shot.
Denari keeps control of BABA as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

BABA breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Denari rushes BABA and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Denari scores with a knee to the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
BABA wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
A knee to the head by Denari.
BABA wants to break free but Denari has control.
BABA stalling.
BABA tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Denari misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from BABA.
Denari wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but BABA has him pressed against the cage.
BABA wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Denari has him pressed against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pablo Denari dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Nice sprawl there from Denari as BABA shoots in.
BABA clinches but Denari breaks the clinch

and Denari moves into the clinch.
BABA lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Denari lands with a light punch inside.
BABA wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Knees to the body from Denari.
BABA tries to break the clinch but Denari is controlling the position.
Denari keeps control of BABA as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
BABA has had enough of the clinch but Denari keeps him there for the moment.
BABA has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Denari avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Denari breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

BABA clinches up with Denari and pushes him back against the cage.
BABA wants to break free but Denari has control.

BABA breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
BABA goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Denari stuns BABA with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
BABA keeps the fight on the outside.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by BABA!
Denari pushes BABA away with a front kick.
Denari lands a nice looking body shot.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
BABA looks to clinch

and Denari counters by clinching up.
Denari stalling in the clinch.
BABA's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Denari landing knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Denari makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Denari lands a damaging elbow.
BABA changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Denari fights it off and pushes away nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for YUCEL BABA. That's going to take a lot out of him.
BABA takes a shot right to the bread basket.
BABA closes the distance looking to clinch
and Denari counters with a body kick.
BABA clinches but Denari breaks the clinch
and Denari counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Nice takedown defense from Denari. No joy for BABA on that attempt.
A punch combination from BABA misses.
Denari looks to land a body kick but BABA moved away.
BABA throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

BABA rushes Denari and presses him up against the cage.
Nice elbow from Denari.
BABA wants to break the clinch but can't.
Denari throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Denari landing some nice looking knees to the body.
BABA has had enough of the clinch but Denari keeps him there for the moment.

BABA breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
BABA closes the distance looking to clinch
and Denari counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
BABA swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and BABA takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
BABA missing with a left hand there. Denari was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Pablo Denari is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Denari has closed the distance and engaged BABA in a clinch.
BABA wants to get back to striking at distance but Denari won't allow it.

Denari escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Denari landing knees to the body.
Denari stalling in the clinch but BABA improves position.
Still in the clinch, Denari scores with a nice short uppercut.
BABA drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Denari gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Denari lands with a short head shot on the inside.
BABA takes an elbow to the forehead.
BABA can't break the clinch.
BABA can't break the clinch.
BABA wants to break free but Denari has control.
A bit of stalling here from Denari.
BABA wants to break the clinch but can't.

Denari manages to break the clinch.

Denari moves into range and clinches up with BABA.
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!
BABA is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Denari softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Denari cracks BABA with a nice body shot.
Denari lands a hook to the side of the head.
BABA misses with some punches.
Denari lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Denari connects with a knee to the head.
Still in the clinch, Denari scores with a nice short uppercut.
Denari lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Nice elbow from Denari.
Pablo Denari seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
BABA goes for a takedown in the clinch but Denari prevents it.

Denari manages to break the clinch.
BABA moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
BABA wants to clinch but Denari slips to the side
and Denari counters with a nice body kick.
Denari is looking to clinch.
BABA throws a right and a left that both miss.
BABA darts in trying to clinch
and Denari counters with a stiff right hand.
BABA on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
BABA shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Denari instigates a clinch.
BABA wants to break the clinch but can't.
Still in the clinch, Denari scores with a nice short uppercut.
Denari lands with a short punch from the clinch.

Denari breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
BABA shoots in for a double leg but Denari sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
BABA tries to clinch up
and Denari counters with a slapping leg kick.
BABA wants to clinch

and Denari counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Denari.
Denari lands an elbow inside.
BABA has Denari pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Denari manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
BABA wants to break the clinch but can't.
Denari scores with a hook to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Denari prevents BABA from breaking the clinch.
Denari lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.

Denari breaks from the clinch.
Denari connects with a crisp jab.
BABA takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Denari fakes the leg kick and cracks BABA in the body.

Denari has BABA up against the cage in a clinch.
BABA looking to stall.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
BABA is trying to break free.
Denari lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Denari connects with a knee to the head.
A short body shot lands from Denari as the two fighters clinch.

Denari manages to break the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pablo Denari showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

BABA tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Denari counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Denari is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
BABA shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Denari but Denari pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Denari dodges the punch combination from BABA.
Denari dodges the punch combination from BABA.
Denari connects with a solid leg kick.
BABA misses with a takedown
and Denari counters with a good, hard body kick but BABA shrugs it off.
Denari explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
YUCEL BABA seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Denari darts in and clinches BABA up against the cage.

Denari breaks from the clinch.
BABA has his takedown stuffed

and Denari counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Denari.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for YUCEL BABA. That's going to take a lot out of him.
BABA misses with a hook from the clinch.

Denari escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
BABA tries to clinch but Denari moves away

and Denari moves into the clinch.
BABA will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Denari connects with a knee to the head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
BABA takes a knee right on the jaw!

BABA is rocked!
BABA with an attempt at a knee that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee calls for Denari to work.
BABA can't break the clinch.
Denari has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Denari wants to stall.
BABA has had enough of the clinch but Denari keeps him there for the moment.
BABA lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Denari backwards.
BABA has Denari pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Denari manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Good body shot from Denari.
A shot in the inside from BABA.
Denari trying to stall but BABA improves his position.
Denari prevents BABA from breaking the clinch.
BABA wants to break the clinch but can't.
BABA is trying to break free.
Denari managing to block the knees to the body from BABA.
BABA has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Denari is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
BABA can't break the clinch.
BABA wants to break free but Denari has control.
BABA tries to stall but Denari uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Denari prevents BABA from breaking the clinch.
Denari unloads a knee to the mid-section. BABA lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
BABA is trying to break free.

Denari breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Denari clinches up with BABA and pushes him back against the cage.
BABA is working for takedown but Denari is calmly controlling the position for now.
Denari gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from BABA.
Denari prevents a takedown attempt there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Denari breaks the clinch.
BABA throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Denari counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Denari manages to break the clinch.
BABA closes the distance but Denari moves to the side
and Denari counters with a slapping leg kick.
Nice straight punches there by Denari. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Denari.

Denari rushes BABA and presses him up against the cage.
BABA wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
BABA changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Denari fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Denari tries to clinch up.
BABA tries to close the distance and clinch up but Denari swats him away and circles back towards the center.
BABA falls off balance throwing a combination
and BABA takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Denari staying out of range there.
BABA throws a body kick that misses.
BABA throws a right and a left that both miss.
BABA throws a right hand that Denari ducks under and follows up with a left that Denari also avoids with ease.
Pablo Denari seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Denari moves in looking to clinch but BABA pushes him off.
YUCEL BABA is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
BABA closes the distance but Denari moves to the side

and Denari counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Denari tries to land a knee to the head but BABA blocks with his arms.
BABA has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Denari is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Denari lands a body shot in the clinch.
BABA has had enough of the clinch but Denari keeps him there for the moment.
Denari keeps control of BABA as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

BABA manages to break the clinch.
BABA misses with a jab, cross combination.
A decent looking cross lands there for Denari.

Denari has managed to clinch.
BABA drops down looking for an ankle pick but Denari pulls his leg out and moves away.
Denari fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Denari tries to clinch up but BABA circles away and keeps his distance.
BABA shoots in for a double leg but Denari sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
BABA tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Denari counters with a head kick.
BABA tries to grapple but his opponent circles
letting Denari counter with a right hand.
BABA misses with a left hand

and Denari counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
BABA can't break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A bit of stalling here from Denari.
Denari lands a nice uppercut.
BABA takes an elbow to the temple.
Denari lands a right hand that snaps the head of BABA backwards.
Denari using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Knees to the body from Denari.
BABA avoiding damage as Denari throws knees to the body.
Denari using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
BABA tries to score a body lock takedown but Denari shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
BABA is trying to break free.
Denari scores a nice knee to the body.
Denari trying to land knees to the body.
BABA can't break the clinch.

Denari breaks from the clinch.
BABA throws a left and a right that both miss

and Denari counters by moving into the clinch.

BABA breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

BABA scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
BABA tries to stand but can't do so whilst Denari controls his leg.
Denari keeping hold of BABA's head, controlling as best he can.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Denari is trying to get back to full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pablo Denari comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Denari 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pablo Denari!