PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Achab Denis (ranked 80 p4p, 13 weight class) and Taiga Jim (ranked 148 p4p, 22 weight class). Denis comes to the cage accompanied by Can't be touched . Taiga Jim acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Denis
vs
Jim

188 cm
30
194 lbs
19 - 5 - 0

189 cm
28
189 lbs
14 - 8 - 1

Good wrestling
World class MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

BuriedAlive// Fight Gear
Aspire Clothing

Aspire Clothing
IniTech Nutrition

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 19 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Achab Denis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Taiga Jim!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, William Gold and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jim avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
A slow jab from Jim misses its intended target.
Denis swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Jim scores with a nice right hand.
Jim fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Denis is looking to counter punch.
Jim misses with a jab, cross combination.
Denis throws a sloppy body shot
letting Jim counter with a right hand.
Jim fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Denis avoids it really well and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A punch combination from Jim misses.
Denis swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

Jim fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Denis sprawls well initially but Jim persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Denis is looking for a sweep. Jim is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Denis controlling the position well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jim lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Denis is trying to get back to full guard.
Denis is working hard here to advance position.
Jim throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Jim sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Denis defending well though.
Jim sitting and controlling from the half guard.

That's two 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.
Jim lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Jim trying to mount his opponent but Denis defends it.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Jim working his ground and pound in the gym.
Jim thows a huge punch but Denis dodges it nicely.
Denis moves into full guard.
Jim showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Denis keeping moving, preventing Jim from controlling successfully.
Jim in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Jim scores with a punch to the head.
Denis tests Jim's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Denis displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Jim.
Achab Denis has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Taiga Jim.
Jim shoots for a takedown but Denis saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Jim misses with an uppercut
and Denis counters with a good low kick that Jim was not able to check.
Taiga Jim seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Decent striking displayed by Jim there.
Denis is looking to clinch.
Jim throws a shot to the body.
Denis uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Jim.

Denis rushes Jim and presses him up against the cage.
Denis doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Denis gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Jim.
Jim is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Denis gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Jim tightens his grip and picks Denis up, before dumping him to the ground. Denis manages to land in guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jim wants to control from the top but Denis keeps moving.
Denis 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.
Jim pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Denis is keeping the position for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Taiga Jim dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Denis slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Jim throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Denis on the side of the head.
Jab, jab by Jim - just one landing.
Denis lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Denis takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Jim tries to clinch but Denis moves out of range.
Denis takes one on the button.
Denis definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Denis dodges the punch combination from Jim.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jim blocks a jab.
Denis throws a leg kick but Jim sees it coming and moves out of range.
Jim uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Denis.
Jim has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Jim throws a hook but Denis avoids it easily.
Denis throwing a counter right hand but Jim manages to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Denis misses with a low kick.
A jab from Jim does it's job there.
Taiga Jim seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Jim bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Jim takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Jim punishes Denis's body with a nice straight punch.
Jim connects with a body shot that sends Denis's belly button to the back.
Jim has a takedown stuffed.
Denis misses with a hook. Jim ducked under it nicely.
Jim looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Jim missing with a left hand there. Denis was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Jim bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Denis's head backwards.
Denis misses with a hook.
Achab Denis is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Denis displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Jim throws out the jab.
Denis throwing a counter right hand but Jim manages to avoid it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Denis. Jim does a little dance to reset his feet.

Jim gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Denis lands with a light punch inside.
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!
Denis blocking some punches.
Jim stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Denis is trying to push Jim away but Jim has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Jim swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Jim lands a left hand.
Denis lands a shoulder strike.
Denis misses with a hook from the clinch.
Jim misses with a short punch on the inside.
Jim goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Denis misses with a hook to the ribs.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Jim.

Denis breaks the clinch.
Nice jab there from Jim.
A jab from Denis misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good exchange - Jim coming out on top.
Jim ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Denis moves away.
An attempted straight right counter from Denis misses the target.
Jim throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Denis sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Denis is looking for a counter combo.
Denis throws a jab but it's blocked by Jim.
Denis's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Denis duly obliges.
Denis takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Denis uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Jim.
Denis went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Jim misses with a body shot.
Denis moves away from the strike by Jim.
Jim shoots in for a takedown but Denis shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
It looked like Denis was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Jim.

Jim dives in and scores a takedown into Denis's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Denis looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Denis looking for a sweep. Not yet Denis, not yet.
Jim's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Jim missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Jim trying to control the position from guard on top but Denis is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Jim with a flurry of punches that miss.
Jim missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A lazy left from Denis finds it's target.
Jim tries to close the distance and clinch but Denis swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
An attempted straight right counter from Denis misses the target.

Denis instigates a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Taiga Jim showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Denis throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Jim's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Jim duly obliges.
Denis with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Jim to score with a decent uppercut.
Jim throws a looping overhand right but Denis ducks down to avoid it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Jim looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Jim throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Denis uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Jim.
Jim slips a straight right by Denis.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Denis stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Jim misses with a shot to the body
and Denis counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Denis misses with a looping left.
Jim tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Jim cracks Denis with a good jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Denis takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Jim tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Denis swivels and escapes.
Jim works the jab nicely.
Denis takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Denis takes one on the button.
Good standup being displayed there by Jim as he connects with a hook.
Jim shoots in but Denis avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Jim is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Jim shoots in for a takedown but Denis shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Achab Denis has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Taiga Jim.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Jim, as that shot connected.
Achab Denis has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Jim forces Denis back against the cage and clinches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Denis.
Jim misses with a hook to the ribs.
A short right from Denis.
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!
Denis tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Jim goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A short uppercut from Denis.
Denis lands a hook that snaps the head of Jim backwards.
Jim is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Denis lands with a short head shot on the inside.

Jim is rocked!
A head punch blocked on the inside by Jim.
Jim avoids a wild elbow strike from Denis.
Denis goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Denis lands a hook to the side of the head.
Jim has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Denis avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Denis can't find room to land a body shot as Jim controls the action.
Jim prevents a body shot from Denis.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Jim.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Denis scores with a shoulder strike.
Jim prevents a body shot from Denis.
Denis pushes Jim back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Jim is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Denis blocks an uppercut.

Denis's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Jim throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Denis on the side of the head.
Jim fails with a takedown attempt.
Jim slips under a jab from Denis.
Jim misses the body punch
and Denis counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Jim is still on wobbly legs! Can Denis finish him?
Jim throws a head kick that misses.
Jim seems to have recovered his senses.
The fighters circling - Jim throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Jim fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Denis, pushing him back against the cage.
Denis looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Denis lands a left hand.
Jim pushes Denis back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
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!
A head punch blocked on the inside by Jim.
Jim lands with a left to the head.
Denis lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Jim tries for a takedown. No joy.
Denis creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Jim's defenses.
Denis goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Denis tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Jim's elbow.
Denis's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Jim wants a takedown but no success here.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Denis.
Denis presses Jim against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Denis gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Jim goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Denis lands a left hand.
Taiga Jim is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Jim is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Denis pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Jim takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Jim tries to throw a body punch but Denis avoids it by throwing Jim back against the cage.

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 Achab Denis.
I think Jim 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 Andrew Berry scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Gold scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Taiga Jim!
Taiga Jim managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, IniTech Nutrition , into his post fight interview.