PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Karl Denke (ranked 187 p4p, 33 weight class) and Corban Storm (ranked 471 p4p, 65 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Denke
vs
Storm

175 cm
30
180 lbs
27 - 16 - 0

191 cm
25
187 lbs
12 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class 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 27 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Karl Denke!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Corban Storm!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Dillan Fox and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Denke fails in his attempt to clinch.
A little jabbing left from Storm on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Storm has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Denke keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Storm looks to land a right hand but Denke moved out of range.
Storm scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Storm is looking to chop away at Denke's legs.
Storm moves out of range of the body kick.
Denke looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Storm pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Denke appears to be looking for a big counter.
Denke with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Storm to score with a decent uppercut.
Storm lands with a good body shot.
Storm keeps the fight on the outside.

Denke closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Storm lands with a left to the head.
Denke blocking some punches.
Denke works on Storm's body with a couple of short punches.
Storm works on Denke's body with a couple of short punches.
Still in the clinch, Storm scores with a nice short uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Storm pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Denke tries to move into range but Storm moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Denke takes a body punch but keeps moving.

Storm drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Storm creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Denke sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Storm throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Storm looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Denke is avoiding damage well.
Storm fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Storm throws a strike aimed at the side of Denke's head but Denke avoids it well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Storm fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Storm scores with punches from side control.
An elbow from Storm crashes against the mat.
Storm working the ground and pound but Denke is defending the strikes.
Storm has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Storm wants to lay and pray for a moment but Denke keeps working.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Storm cracks Denke with a big elbow.
Storm landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Storm is chipping away with strikes.
Denke managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Storm.
Storm content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Denke takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Denke is trying to buck Storm off.
Storm throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Denke is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Denke might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Storm looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Denke is avoiding damage well.
Denke parries the strikes from Storm easily there. Storm is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Denke to escape.
Storm trying to control the action but Denke is working from the bottom.
Storm throws a strike aimed at the side of Denke's head but Denke avoids it well.
Storm grinds an elbow into Denke's temple.
Denke is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Storm is controlling him well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Denke parries the strikes from Storm easily there. Storm is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Denke to escape.
Storm working the head and body with strikes.
Denke managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Storm.
Denke defending against the ground and pound.
Storm fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Storm is looking to take a break and control but Denke is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Denke is working to avoid the ground and pound but Storm connects with a decent elbow.
Storm working the ground and pound but Denke is defending the strikes.
Denke wants to get back to his feet.
Storm throwing shots but missing, from side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Corban Storm dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Storm wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Corban Storm seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Storm throws a lazy right hand but Denke sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Denke staying out of range there.
Storm lands with a thumping leg kick.
Storm shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Storm has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Jab by Storm.
Denke misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Denke throws out a leg kick but Storm moves out of range and Denke only half commits.
A big left from Storm misses.
Storm throws a hook but Denke blocks it.
Denke appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Good standup being displayed there by Storm as he connects with a hook.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Denke takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Denke wants to clinch.
Storm keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Denke.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Storm swings for the body but Denke moves out of range.
Storm throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Denke throwing a counter right hand but Storm manages to avoid it.
Storm swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Storm ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Denke moves away.
Denke lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.

Denke gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Denke throws an elbow that misses.
Denke blocking some punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Storm.
Denke lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Storm.
Storm is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Denke pulls him back up using the underhooks.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Denke.
Storm wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Storm throws a punch but it's blocked by Denke.
A shot in the inside from Storm.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Denke lands with a left to the head.
Storm prevents a body shot from Denke.
Denke throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Storms head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Denke slowing the pace effectively.
Denke lands a hook to the side of the head.
Denke is pressed up against the cage. Storm has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Denke down to the mat. Denke avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Denke misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Storm is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Storm looks to land a body kick but Denke moved away.
Denke uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Storm.
Storm misses with the combination.
Denke tries to clinch up but Storm circles away and keeps his distance.
Storm throws a sloppy head kick and Denke moves out of range easily.
Storm throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Storm misses with a lunging right hand
and Denke counters with a nice body shot.
Storm jabs at Denke's body.
Denke takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Denke throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Storm lands a nice shot that snaps Denke's head back.
Storm connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Storm swats away the attempt to clinch by Denke.
The fight stays on the outside here - Denke looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Storm is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Denke with a body shot.
Denke tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Storm manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Storm throws a solid leg kick but Denke takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Storm.
Corban Storm seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Storm lands with a nice combination. Denke backs away looking to recover.

It looks like Karl Denke has been cut.
Karl Denke is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Denke is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Denke takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Denke cracks Storm with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Denke tries a head kick but it misses.
Storm thuds his right hand into Denke's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
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!
Storm scores with a jab. Denke acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Denke cracks Storm with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

Denke clinches with his opponent.
Storm swings wildly with an uppercut but Denke uses good head movement to avoid it.
Storm fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Denke lands a body punch.
Storm working aggressively here.
Storm drops down looking for an ankle pick but Denke pulls his leg out and moves away.
Karl Denke has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Corban Storm.
Storm misses with a straight left.
Denke defending well as Storm loads up on a big left hand.
A looping hook to the body misses from Storm. Denke does a little dance to reset his feet.
Denke throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

It looks like Corban Storm has been cut.
Storm tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Denke was well out of range. Poor timing from Storm.
Storm finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Storm just misses with a punch to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Corban Storm showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Storm fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Denke manages to avoid it.
Storm bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Denke misses with a wild body shot.
Storm ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Denke moves away.
Storm throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
A jab from Storm finds it's way through Denke's defenses.
Storm connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Storm dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Denke moves into the clinch successfully.
Storm misses with a hook from the clinch.
Karl Denke has scored more points in the clinch so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Denke doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A body shot lands from Storm.
Denke taking a breather.

Storm breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Denke takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Storm changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Denke throws a half hearted mid kick.
Denke looks to clinch
enabling Storm to counter with a crisp jab.
Denke moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Storm connects with a jab.
Storm jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
A solid leg kick lands there for Storm.
Storm swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Denke.
Storm fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Storm connects with a nice looking jab.
Denke on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Denke tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Storm looks for the body kick but Denke saw 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!
Denke doesn't manage to clinch there - Storm circles away.
Denke slips a jab from Storm.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Storm lands a jab to the nose.
Storm misses with an uppercut.
Denke is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Nice defenses there by Denke.
Storm misses with a body shot
and Denke counters with a three punch combo that has Storm backing up. Storm nods at Denke to acknowledge the strikes.
Nice uppercut there from Storm.
Storm scores with a shot to the body.
Storm blocks a head kick by Denke.
Storm scores with a kick to the body.
Storm scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Good leg kick by Storm there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Denke takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Storm has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Storm looks to score with a jab to the body but Denke is just out of range.
Denke tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Storm manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Jab, jab by Storm - just one landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Denke misses with a straight left.
A little jabbing left from Storm on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Storm blocks a head kick by Denke.
Denke tries to move into range but Storm moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Denke needs to keep his hands up - Storm had a free shot at his head there.
Storm bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Denke stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Storm.
Storm misses with a straight left.
Denke throws a counter high kick but Storm was just alert enough to avoid it.
Storm is looking to score with low kicks.
Storm lands a front kick.
Denke takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Denke dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Storm. That did some damage!
Storm's corner calls for a 1-2. Storm obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Denke swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Corban Storm is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Storm is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Denke.
Storm throws a body shot but no joy.
Denke is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Storm.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Storm comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Storm scores with a nice strike.
Denke is looking to clinch but Storm is avoiding it.
Denke tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Storm paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Storm.
Denke throws a head kick that Storm semi-blocks.
A bone on bone clash there as Denke blocks the leg kick.
Storm takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
A looping hook to the body misses from Storm. Denke does a little dance to reset his feet.
Denke is looking to counter the offense by Storm and move into the clinch.
A slow jab from Storm misses its intended target.
Denke seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Denke tries to clinch there but Storm circles away.
Karl Denke has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Storm scores with a nice right hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Corban Storm comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Storm 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 Gregory Folan scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Corban Storm!
Corban Storm was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.