PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Goban Declan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Daniel Judah (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Goban Declan could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Daniel Judah's chin.

Declan
vs
Judah

187 cm
25
190 lbs
12 - 3 - 0

188 cm
25
195 lbs
13 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

King of Fists

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 12 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Goban Declan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Daniel Judah!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Gregory Folan and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Declan takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
A looping hook to the body misses from Declan. Judah does a little dance to reset his feet.
Declan throws a leg kick that is checked
and Judah counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Judah fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Declan manages to avoid it.
Declan appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Declan delivers a nice body kick.
Judah fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Declan manages to avoid it.
Declan misses with a straight left.
Declan takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Judah throws a quick inside leg kick.
Judah tried to score with a low kick but Declan checks it.
Declan takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Judah misses with a body shot
and Declan counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

It looks like Daniel Judah has been cut.
Judah cracks a nice hook into Declan's ribs.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Judah with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Declan swings for the body but Judah moves out of range.
Judah misses with the combination.
Judah tries to clinch up but Declan circles away and keeps his distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Declan blocks a head kick by Judah.
Declan appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
No joy there for Judah, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Judah throws a leg kick that is checked

and Declan counters with a shoot takedown. Judah fights it but they end up in guard.
Declan throws a strike but Judah rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Declan looking to control.
Judah has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Declan is proving hard to escape from.
Judah preventing the sweep.

Declan working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Judah doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Judah manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Declan looking to hit a scissor sweep but Judah is one step ahead there.
Declan seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Judah wanted to stand there but Declan had control of the position.
Declan wants to stand and escape but Judah is having none of it.
Declan working a defensive guard here.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Declan 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 has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A solid body kick from Judah.
Judah throws a sloppy head kick
and Declan counters with a left to the body.

Judah pushes Declan up against the cage in a clinch.
Declan misses with the head strike.
Judah misses with a hook from the clinch.
Declan is trying to push Judah away but Judah has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Declan's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Declan throws a low kick, looking for Judah's leg but Judah calmly moves out of range.
Judah is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Declan with a body shot.

Judah clinches up against the cage.
Nice body punch from Declan - that landed with a thud.
Declan has a couple of punches blocked by Judah.
Judah with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Judah tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Judah missing with knees to the body.
Declan lands a nice uppercut.
Judah has Declan pressed against the cage, preventing Declan from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Declan's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Judah throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Judah is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Declan rather than just go for the knockout.
Declan showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Judah.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Judah throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Judah throws a push kick but Declan slaps the foot to one side.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Declan.
Judah checks a leg kick nicely.
Judah keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Declan.
Judah lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Judah throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Declan misses with a hook
and Judah counters with a nice kick to the body.
Judah thows a left - swing and a miss!
Declan is looking to counter punch.
Declan moves out of range of the strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Daniel Judah dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Daniel Judah's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Judah on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Declan throws a leg kick
and Judah counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Judah just misses with a punch to the body.
Judah throws a leg kick but Declan sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Declan throws a head kick but Judah moves out of range.
Declan misses with a low kick.
Judah throws a solid leg kick but Declan takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Judah.
Declan listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Judah throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Judah digs a good hook to Declan's body.
Declan rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Judah moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Judah lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Daniel Judah seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Declan rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Judah makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Declan really felt that one!
Judah scoring well with a low kick there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Declan throws out a loose jab but Judah uses good head movement to avoid it.
Declan scores with a kick to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Judah connects with a nice looking jab.
Judah looks to score with a jab to the body but Declan is just out of range.
Judah misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Declan.
Judah lands a nice shot to the body.
Declan connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Declan tries to land a leg kick but Judah saw it coming and moves away.
Declan thows a left - swing and a miss!
Declan checks a low kick from Judah.
As Judah looks to move away, Declan throws a big counter combo but Judah just gets out of the way.

Judah forces Declan back against the cage and clinches.
Judah prevents Declan from breaking the clinch.

Declan breaks from the clinch.
Declan looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A chopping leg kick lands by Judah.
Declan takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Judah throws a nice inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Declan just misses with a punch to the body.
Declan lands with a straight right. Judah didn't see that one coming.
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!
Judah avoids the head kick by Declan.
Judah throws a nice head kick!
Judah keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Judah throws a body punch but Declan moves out of range.
Judah moves out of range of the strikes.
Judah misses with a low kick.
Donk. Judah catches Declan right on the button with a cross.
Judah throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

and Declan counters with a single leg into guard. Judah didn't expect that.
Declan loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Declan throws a big right hand that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Declan throws a big right hand that misses.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Declan with a flurry of punches that miss.
Declan is fighting to break Judah's control of his arms but Judah is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Judah controls Declan momentarily but Declan frees himself.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Judah wants to sweep but no luck.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Judah moves out of range as Declan strikes.
A telegraphed right hand from Judah misses the target.

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.
Judah goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Daniel Judah seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Judah steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Declan.
Judah feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Declans jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Judah misses with a body kick.
Judah scoring well with a low kick there.
Declan moves away from the strike by Judah.
Declan takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Judah throws a looping overhand right but Declan ducks down to avoid it.
Declan stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Judah.
Declan tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Declan misses with a body kick.
Declan throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Judah steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Judah connects with a nice looking jab.
Judah lands a nice looking body kick.
Declan cracks Judah with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Daniel Judah showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Daniel Judah's cut.
That's time! Declan's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Declan tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Declan will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Declan will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Declan throws a big shot that misses.
Judah looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Declan is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Declan connects with a leg kick. Judah looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Nice body kick there by Declan.
Judah checks a low kick from Declan.
Declan circles away from the clinch attempt.
Declan checks the leg kick nicely there.
An attempted straight right counter from Declan misses the target.
Nice body kick from Declan.
Judah lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Judah throws a front kick that sends Declan stumbling back into the cage.
Declan tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Declan bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Judah keeps Declan at a distance using the push kick.
Judah connects with an inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A low kick from Judah is predictable there
and Declan counters with a nice body kick.
Declan looks to score with a jab to the body but Judah is just out of range.
Judah throws a jab when Declan was well out of range.
Declan connects with a leg kick. Judah looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Judah moves away from the strike by Declan.
Declan throws a low kick but it's checked well by Judah.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Judah in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Judah lands a leg kick that knocks Declan off balance momentarily.
Declan looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Judah slips a straight right by Declan.
Judah misses with a kick to the body.
A slapping body kick lands there for Declan.

Judah clinches up with Declan and pushes him back against the cage.
Judah prevents a body shot from Declan.
Declan blocking some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Judah can't find room to land a body shot as Declan controls the action.
Declan lands with a short shot to the head.
Judah blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Judah unloads a knee to the mid-section.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Judah scores with a nice hook to the head.
Judah blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Judah missing with knees to the body.
Judah lands an elbow inside.
Judah throws a head punch that misses.
Judah looking to throw knees to the head but Declan is blocking nicely.
Declan wants to get back to striking at distance but Judah won't allow it.
A nice left hand lands by Declan.
Declan lands with a short shot to the head.
Declan tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Declan breaks from the clinch.
Declan connects with an inside leg kick.
Declan lands a nice leg kick that just misses Judah's sensitive parts.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Declan tries to score with a low kick but Judah moves his leg out of the way.
Declan loads up on a big right hand but Judah slips the punch.
Judah was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Judah works Declan's body with a nice hook.
Judah misses with a head kick.
Judah lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Judah moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Judah moves out of range as Declan strikes.
Judah throws out a counter right but Declan avoids it with no problem.
Goban Declan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Daniel Judah is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Declan lands with a kick to the temple. Judah shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Judah throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Declan misses with a right hand
letting Judah counter with a right hand.
Judah throws a push kick but Declan slaps the foot to one side.
Declan throws a hook but Judah avoids it easily.
Judah tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Declan paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Declan throwing a counter right hand but Judah manages to avoid it.
Declan cracks Judah with an open hand slap.

Judah is rocked!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Declan ducks right into an uppercut from Judah.
A solid leg kick lands there for Judah.
Judah tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nice jab there from Judah.
Declan keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Judah is still on wobbly legs! Can Declan finish him?
Declan looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Judah lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Judah thows a left - swing and a miss!
Judah seems to have recovered his senses.
Judah dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Declan avoids the body shot from Judah.
Declan avoids the head kick by Judah.
Declan misses with an uppercut.

Declan sends Judah crashing to the mat with a devastating uppercut! Declan is motioning to the referee to let Judah up. He wants to try and finish this one on the feet!

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Goban Declan.
I think Judah 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 Ian Loll scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 28:29
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 27:30

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