PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Noel James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Robbie Denham (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). James comes to the cage accompanied by Whats New pussy Cat by Tom Jones. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

James
vs
Denham

195 cm
19
211 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

185 cm
21
203 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Noel James!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Robbie Denham!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, James Atkins and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Denham showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from James.
James ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Denham moves away.
James fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Denham checks it well.
Denham misses with a wild combination.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from James.
James goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Denham misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Denham lands a jab-cross combination.
James takes a body punch but keeps moving.
James misses with a wild combination.
James throws out a leg kick but Denham moves out of range and James only half commits.
James lands a two punch combo.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
James throws an overhand right that lands on Denham's shoulder, as Denham tries to avoid the shot.
Denham keeps the fight on the outside.
Denham lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
A punch combination from James misses.
Denham tries to bum rush James with a series of wild strikes but James uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts James, as that shot connected.
James throws a right hand that Denham ducks under and follows up with a left that Denham also avoids with ease.
Denham cracks James with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
No joy there for Denham, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Denham shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Denham showed some decent athleticism there.
James is looking to control Denham's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can James avoid being mounted?
James is breathing heavily.
Denham winds up and cracks James with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Denham winds up and cracks James with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Denham prevents James from improving his position.
Denham tries to stand and escape but James is controlling the position.
Denham prevents James from standing back up.
James wants to get back to full guard.
Denham scoring with strikes to the body and head.
James slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Denham avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Denham preventing the sweep.

James is looking for a triangle but Denham pushes his legs off easily.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Denham stopping the sweep attempt from James.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Denham works a leg free and moves into half guard.
James tries to get to full guard but Denham has control of the leg.
Nice strikes from Denham there.
Denham looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Denham tries to stand and escape but James is controlling the position.
James moves into full guard.
James wants to sweep here but Denham controlling him for the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Denham makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
James controlling the position.
Denham connects with a couple of short punches.
James manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Denham manages to get himself to full guard.

Denham looking for a guillotine here but James defends easily.
James trying to control the position from guard on top but Denham is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Denham wants to stand but James is controlling the position.
James wants to control from the top but Denham keeps moving.
James preventing the sweep.
Denham throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
James passes into half guard.
Denham looks like he's trying to stand up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
James fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Denham manages to avoid it.
Nice body kick from James.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Noel James dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

James swinging wilding here.
James throws a head kick that misses.
James dodges the punch combination from Denham.
James throws a nice looking combination but Denham bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Denham closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Denham slips a straight right by James.
Denham displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Denham avoids a punch combination nicely.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Denham!
James misses with a series of wild punches.
Denham throws a right hand that James ducks under and follows up with a left that James also avoids with ease.
Nice body punch from Denham.
Denham lands a lovely overhand right.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Denham looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Donk. Denham catches James right on the button with a cross.
Noel James is winning the standup battle so far.
James looking to land some kicks to the body here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Denham throws a series of punches but James avoids them all with ease.
Some wild striking there from Denham.
James digs a good body shot into Denham's ribs.
James looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Denham checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Denham dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Denham misses with the combination.
Denham slips a jab and a cross from James.
Robbie Denham seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Denham throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
James misses with the combination.
Some wild striking there from James.
James with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Denham to score with a decent uppercut.
James throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Denham.

That's two 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.

Denham 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.
James controls Denham momentarily but Denham frees himself.
James wants to sweep here but Denham controlling him for the moment.
Denham in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
James manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
James takes Denham's back, avoiding a couple of desperation strikes from the bottom.

Denham is trying escape back to his feet. He turns into his opponent's guard and eventually finds his way back to his feet.
James will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Denham misses with the combination.
James lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Denham backs up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Denham dodges the punch combination from James.
Denham scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
James takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Denham takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Noel James is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Denham slips a jab and a cross from James.
James takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
James lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Denham displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Denham misses with a few strikes there.
Denham keeps the fight on the outside.
James sizes up Denham with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Denham works the jab nicely.
Denham looks to land a left hand but James moved out of range nicely.
Denham misses with a body shot
and James counters with a left and a right that stings Denham.
James throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Denham.
James scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James takes a swing at Denham's ribcage but misses.
Denham's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Denham duly obliges.
Denham has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Denham throws a right and a left that both miss.
Denham swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and James counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
James lands a body shot.
James throws a push kick but Denham slaps the foot to one side.
Denham misses with a double jab.
Denham will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Denham throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Denham looks to land a left hand but James moved out of range nicely.
A combination from James does no damage.
Denham lands a right hook to the body.
Denham throws a combination. James tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
James throws a leg kick which misses Denham's front leg but catches the back leg as Denham tries to avoid it.
Denham throws a right and a left that both miss.
James swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Denham comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Denham misses with a combination
and James counters with a nice uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robbie Denham showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

James throws the kick towards the body but Denham avoids it.
A nice combination there by Denham.
James takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
James just misses with a punch to the body.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
James looks to land a combination but Denham avoids it well.
James finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Denham looks to land a combination but James avoids it well.
James throws a series of punches but Denham moves out of range.
Denham moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
James throws a head kick that misses.

Denham closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Denham in side control lands a decent elbow.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
James is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Denham creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
James throws an elbow to the body but it doesn't land.
Denham working the head with strikes.
James manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Denham is trying to stand back up but James is controlling him
James seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
James is tying to control. Denham wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Denham misses with some strikes from the bottom.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Denham keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Denham showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from James.
James swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A slow jab from James misses its intended target.
James drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Denham paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

James has taken the fight to the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Denham.
Denham is trying to work for a single leg takedown but James pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Denham is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

James has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Denham uses from the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Denham makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Denham would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Denham cracks James with a solid left hand.
James is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Denham tries to stand but James is controlling from the bottom.
James controls Denham momentarily but Denham frees himself.
Denham lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
James manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
James connects with a couple of good shots from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James wants to control the pace but Denham is squirming around nicely.
Denham wants to get back to his feet.
Denham is in all sorts of trouble here.
James wants to control the pace but Denham is squirming around nicely.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Denham can do anything to dispel that myth.
Denham wants to get back to his feet.
Denham tries to reverse the position but James maintains control.
James lands a big elbow.
Denham is squirming around, avoiding James's attempts to control the action.
Denham tries to hold on but James postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Denham is mounted but he's throwing punches.
Denham wants to get back to his feet.
Denham is wriggling around trying to escape.
James punishing his opponent with strikes.
Denham swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
James scores with a couple of good head shots there.
James looking to finish Denham with some ground and pound. This is bad for Denham!
James landing punches.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
James lands a big shot there that rocks Denham but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
James avoids the attempt from Denham to control.
BOOM! James connects with a massive shot to the dome!

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Robbie Denham.
I think Denham 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 William Gold scores the fight 28:29
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Robbie Denham!