PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Reed Basaev (ranked 2507 p4p, 257 weight class) and Donson Denille (ranked 2153 p4p, 230 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Basaev
vs
Denille

200 cm
36
238 lbs
15 - 8 - 0

190 cm
31
229 lbs
10 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter
Zenith Nutrition (160q/$200)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Reed Basaev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Donson Denille!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Donald Grub and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Basaev throws a right and a left that Denille avoids nicely.
Basaev throws a body punch but Denille moves out of range.
Denille looks for a takedown but Basaev sprawls well.
Basaev moves out of range as Denille strikes.
Denille cracks Basaev with a good jab.
Basaev throws a nice inside leg kick.
Denille has his takedown stuffed
and Basaev counters with a series of strikes. Denille will be more careful next time no doubt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Denille moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Denille lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Basaev closes the distance and clinches.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Basaev.
Denille fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Denille.
Basaev misses with a punch to the body.
Denille lands a left hand.
A nice left hand lands by Denille.

It looks like Reed Basaev has been cut.
Denille misses with a hook from the clinch.
Denille fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Basaev lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Denille.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Basaev.
Nice body punch from Basaev.
Denille swings wildly with an uppercut but Basaev uses good head movement to avoid it.
A head punch on the inside from Denille fails to land.
Basaev is leaning against Denille and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Nice body punch from Denille - that landed with a thud.
Denille throws a punch but it's blocked by Basaev.
Denille can't find room to land a body shot as Basaev controls the action.
Basaev misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Denille tries to work over Basaev's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Denille misses with a body punch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A head punch blocked on the inside by Basaev.
The referee calls for Basaev to work.
Denille softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Basaev misses with a punch to the body.
Basaev effectively controlling the action here.
Denille swings wildly with an uppercut but Basaev uses good head movement to avoid it.
A head punch on the inside from Denille fails to land.
Denille lands a nice uppercut.
Denille misses with a punch on the inside.
Denille lands with a light punch inside.
Denille lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Denille softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Denille lands a right hand.
A head punch on the inside from Basaev fails to land.
Denille misses with the head strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Denille tries to throw a body punch but Basaev avoids it by throwing Denille back against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Basaev fails to land.
A head punch on the inside from Basaev fails to land.
Basaev blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Denille tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Basaev slowing the pace effectively.
A left hand lands to the body for Basaev.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Denille.
Denille fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Basaev.
Basaev blocking some punches.
Basaev tries a body shot but Denille blocks it.
Basaev blocks an uppercut.
Basaev blocks an uppercut.
Basaev lands a shot to the body.
Denille blocks an uppercut.
A nice left hand lands by Basaev.
A head punch on the inside from Denille fails to land.
Basaev blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Denille misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Denille throws a punch but it's blocked by Basaev.
A nice right hand lands inside from Basaev.
Basaev tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Denille's elbow.
Basaev lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Basaev lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Denille tries for a takedown. No joy.
Reed Basaev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Donson Denille.
Basaev misses with a short punch on the inside.
Basaev will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Denille up against the cage.
Basaev tries to stall but Denille uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Basaev misses with the head strike.
Denille lands a shot to the body.
Denille lands a left hand.
Basaev trying to stall but Denille improves his position.
Denille lands a body punch in the clinch.
Denille fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Denille makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Denille lands a hook to the side of the head.
Basaev misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Denille.
Denille lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Donson Denille will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Reed Basaev's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Basaev pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Basaev throws an off balance right hand
and Denille connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Basaev throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Denille takes a swing at Basaev's ribcage but misses.
Denille tries a head kick but it misses.
Basaev pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Denille feints a counter leg kick.
Basaev staying out of range there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Denille lands a jab to the head.
Denille throws a low kick but Basaev moves out of range easily.
Basaev swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Denille stuns Basaev with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Basaev takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Denille avoids the head kick by Basaev.
Denille throws a sloppy body shot
and Basaev counters with a solid body kick.
Basaev misses with a looping left.
Denille misses with a series of wild punches.
Basaev misses with an uppercut
and Denille counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Denille throws a sloppy body shot
and Basaev counters with a big head kick but Denille shrugs it off.
Basaev throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Basaev misses with a combination

and Denille counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Denille working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Basaev's head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Denille is working Basaev over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Basaev can't keep his opponent in guard - Denille advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Denille scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Basaev tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Basaev has hold of Denille's hands but Denille slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

Basaev has one foot on Denille's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Basaev lands a jab to the head.
Denille looks to land a right hand but Basaev moved out of range.
And Basaev counters with a quick kick to the body but Denille blocks it.
Denille throws a front kick that sends Basaev stumbling back into the cage.
Basaev throws an off balance right hand
and Denille makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circle momentarily. Denille darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Denille tries a head kick but it misses.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Denille lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Basaev has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Basaev and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Basaev throws a quick counter kick to the body but Denille avoids it.
Basaev wants to clinch.
Denille shapes to counter with a head kick.
Reed Basaev is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Basaev closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Denille misses with some punches.
Basaev taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
A short body shot lands from Denille as the two fighters clinch.
Denille gets through Basaev's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Basaev trying to stall but Denille improves his position.
Basaev tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Denille's elbow.
Denille has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Denille lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Basaev backwards.
Denille lands a hook to the side of the head.
Denille works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Denille lands a nice shot to the body.

Denille turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

Basaev sneaks out the side door and pushes Denille away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
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!
Denille with a body punch. A glancing blow.
A solid leg kick lands there for Denille.
Basaev takes a kick to the side of the head.

Reed Basaev's cut is getting worse.
Donson Denille seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Denille tries for a takedown but Basaev sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Donson Denille showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Reed Basaev's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Basaev moves out of range as Denille strikes.
Basaev throws a combination that misses
and Denille counters with a nice body shot.
Denille misses with a head kick.
As Denille looks to move away, Basaev throws a big counter combo but Denille just gets out of the way.
Denille scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Denille misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Basaev.
Denille lands a nice hook to Basaev's body. Basaev takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
A looping hook to the body misses from Denille. Basaev does a little dance to reset his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Basaev moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Denille shoots in but no luck this time.
Basaev looks to score with a jab to the body but Denille is just out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Denille digs a good hook to Basaev's body.
Basaev closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Denille tests Basaev's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Denille misses with an uppercut.
Basaev appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Denille is looking to chop away at Basaev's legs.
Basaev takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Reed Basaev is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Basaev goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Denille feints and then cracks Basaev's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Basaev down.
Basaev uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Denille.
Basaev appears to be looking for a big counter.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Denille misses with a straight left.
Denille listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Basaev scores with a jab to the jaw.
Basaev throws a head kick that misses.
Donson Denille is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Basaev throws a sloppy head kick
and Denille counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Basaev checks a leg kick nicely.
Denille with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Denille fails to land the takedown.
Basaev appears to be looking for a big counter.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Denille throws a poor cross that misses
and Basaev counters with a nice uppercut.
Basaev throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Denille misses with an attempted mid kick.
Basaev appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Basaev waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Denille.
Denille lands a leg kick that knocks Basaev off balance momentarily.
Reed Basaev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Basaev throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Denille with the counter takedown but Basaev avoids it easily.
Basaev throws a nice looking combination but Denille bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
And Denille tries to counter it with a takedown but Basaev pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Denille jabs Basaev to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Denille catches Basaev with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Basaev throws the left hand but Denille avoids the punch easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Denille takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Basaev throws a left and a right that both miss

and Denille counters with a shoot takedown. Basaev fights it but they end up in guard.

Basaev kicks Denille off and gets to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Denille avoids the head kick by Basaev.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Denille works Basaev's body with a nice hook.
Basaev throws a left and a right that both miss
and Denille cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Denille scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Basaev doesn't seem bothered though.
Basaev tries a head kick but it misses.
Basaev looks to land a right hand but Denille moved out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Donson Denille.
I've got Denille 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Glass scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Donson Denille!
Donson Denille looked relieved post fight as he said the following; 'How does it feel getting your ass kicked by someone 50lbs lighter'.