PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Frank Pope (ranked 5625 p4p, 0 weight class) and Domingo Dengra (ranked 5428 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.

Pope
vs
Dengra

175 cm
21
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

187 cm
18
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Frank Pope!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Domingo Dengra!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Frank Dennis and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pope shoots in for a takedown but Dengra shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Sloppy strikes from Pope. Those never looked like landing.
A little jabbing left from Dengra on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Dengra swings for the body but Pope moves out of range.
Pope appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Dengra works over Pope's head and body with a nice combination.

Pope shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Pope showed some decent athleticism there.
Pope prevents Dengra from standing back up.
Dengra trying to control but Pope postures up.
Pope is taking a breather. Dengra says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

Pope is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pope performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Pope looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Dengra with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Pope content to control rather than advance.
Pope prevents Dengra from improving his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Pope takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Pope seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Dengra for as long as he can get away with.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Dengra blocks the body kick.
Dengra swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Pope is looking to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dengra lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Pope circles away quickly and effectively.
Dengra scores with a jab to the head.

Pope drives through with a takedown into Dengra's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Pope lands a couple of elbows.
Pope advances position into side control!
Pope scores with a couple of short elbows.
A lull in the action here.
Pope grinds an elbow into Dengra's temple.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dengra defending against the ground and pound.
Dengra seems a little lost for a moment, as Pope dominates the positioning.
Dengra really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Pope. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Dengra tries to buck Pope off but Pope is having none of it.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Pope throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Dengra is looking to reverse the position.
Pope creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Dengra sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dengra managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Pope.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frank Pope 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.

Pope shoots in but no luck this time.
Dengra now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Domingo Dengra seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pope takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Pope throws a nice head kick!
The crowd cheers as Dengra lands an impressive looking overhand right. Pope doesn't seem phased though.
Dengra works Pope's body with a nice hook.
Pope steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Dengra.
Pope avoids the body shot from Dengra.
Pope attempts a counter takedown but Dengra avoids it well and moves away.
Pope dives in for a single leg takedown but Dengra sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Pope fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Dengra sprawls well initially but Pope persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Pope works his way into full mount!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Dengra has given up his back. Will we see Pope going for some submissions?

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dengra defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Dengra is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Dengra grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.
Pope slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.

Pope looking for the choke but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Pope sinks in the hooks and is looking for the choke. He's got it! Dengra taps out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:21 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Frank Pope!