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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Joey Horatius (ranked 1447 p4p, 1986 weight class) and Denis Denisov (ranked 74 p4p, 115 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!
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| 164 cm
26
135
13 - 4 - 0 |
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167 cm
27
140
9 - 14 - 0 |
Great wrestler
Solid boxing
Cardio machine |
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Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Joey Horatius!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Denis Denisov!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Hirohito Nitta and Yasuomi Hirokawa.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Horatius shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Denisov defends it nicely.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Horatius.
Horatius shoots and misses
and Denisov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joey Horatius. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Denisov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Horatius shoots in for a takedown but Denisov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
A little jabbing left from Denisov on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Horatius feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Horatius in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Horatius throws a big elbow that misses.
Denisov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Horatius passes into half guard under a barage of strikes.
Denisov has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Horatius is working away from the top position though.
Denisov is trying to get back to full guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Denisov is trying to control but can't.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Denisov missing with punches from the bottom.
Denisov is trying to maintain the position but Horatius is very close to passing his half guard.
Horatius blocks the strikes from Denisov.
Denisov regains full guard. Nicely done.
Denisov thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Denisov trying to keep a closed guard but Horatius is proving a slippery customer.
Horatius wants to control from the top but Denisov keeps moving.
Denisov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Horatius.
Denisov will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Horatius working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Horatius landing with the ground and pound.
Denisov is striking from the bottom but Horatius uses the opportunity to pass into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Denisov wants to control but Horatius is keeping busy.
Denisov landing a few short strikes.
Denisov makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Denisov.
Horatius postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Denisov will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Horatius in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Denisov doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Denisov throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Denisov is trying to keep Horatius in close.
Denisov throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Horatius stops Denisov from standing up.
Denisov throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Denisov lands with a heel strike from the guard.
Denisov trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A punch lands to the side of Horatius 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Horatius shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Denisov but Denisov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Denisov dives in for a single leg takedown but Horatius sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Horatius takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Horatius misses with a takedown attempt - Denisov sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Denisov throws out a counter right but Horatius avoids it with no problem.
Horatius tries to clinch
and Denisov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Horatius tries to clinch but Denisov moves out of range.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Denisov sizes up Horatius with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Denisov closes the distance and clinches.
Horatius has Denisov pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Denisov manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
I was talking to Horatius's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Horatius tries for a takedown. No joy.
Denisov tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Horatius just stands there and leans against the cage.
Horatius can't find room to land a body shot as Denisov controls the action.
Horatius has clasped his hands together around Denisov's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Denisov takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Denisov throws a couple of strikes even though he's not really in a good position to do so.
Horatius fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Horatius fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Denisov throws a couple of strikes even though he's not really in a good position to do so.
Denisov pushes Horatius away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Horatius gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
A close round but Denis Denisov will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!
Denisov keeps the fight on the outside.
Horatius shoots for a double leg takedown but Denisov sprawls well. He's pushed Horatius's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Horatius tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Denisov scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Horatius is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Denisov's half guard.
Denisov punching from the bottom.
Horatius is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Horatius has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Horatius putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Denisov wants to control but Horatius is having none of it.
Horatius lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Denisov hang on?
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Horatius postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Denisov looks a forlorn figure.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Denisov taking shots to the head.
Horatius is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Denisov can do to turn this around?
Denisov wants to hold on but Horatius pushes him away.
Denisov sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Denisov makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Denisov.
Horatius has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Horatius trying to control but Denisov is working from the bottom.
Horatius with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Denisov throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Denisov controls Horatius momentarily but Horatius frees himself.
Horatius lands a couple of decent looking shots.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Horatius loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Denisov keeping moving, preventing Horatius from controlling successfully.
Horatius is on the wrong end of a couple of strikes there.
Horatius cracks Denisov with a solid left hand.
Horatius throwing strikes from guard but Denisov blocks nicely.
Denisov wants to sweep but no luck.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Horatius's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Horatius is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Denisov thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Horatius throwing strikes but missing.
Horatius being controlled here momentarily.
Denisov working a defensive guard here.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Horatius is fighting to break Denisov's control of his arms but Denisov is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Denisov trying to strike off his back.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Joey Horatius overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Denisov is on top in guard.
Denisov distracts Horatius with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Denisov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Denisov chips away with some ground and pound.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Denisov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Horatius wants to stand but Denisov is controlling the position.
Horatius working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Denisov.
Horatius is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Denisov throwing strikes from guard but Horatius blocks nicely.
Denisov throwing strikes but missing.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Horatius avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Denisov decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Joey Horatius dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!
Denisov clinches with his opponent.
Horatius goes for a takedown attempt but Denisov pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Horatius tries to clinch but Denisov moves away
and Denisov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Horatius with a lazy takedown attempt
and Denisov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Denisov scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Denis Denisov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Horatius gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Horatius takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joey Horatius. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Denisov shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Horatius manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Denisov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Denisov throws a strike but Horatius rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Horatius content to stall in guard here.
Horatius is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Denisov doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Horatius working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Denisov keeping moving, preventing Horatius from controlling successfully.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Horatius accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Horatius throws a big elbow that misses.
Denisov bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Horatius's guard.
Denisov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Denisov scoring with punches to the head and body.
Denisov postures up.
Denisov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Denisov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Horatius looking to control.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Denisov working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Denisov trying to control the position from guard on top but Horatius is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Denisov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Denisov works over Horatius with some ground and pound from guard.
Denisov stops Horatius from standing up.
Horatius preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Denisov is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Denisov sitting in guard here, content to control.
Denisov wanted to stand there but Horatius had control of the position.
Denisov postures up in Horatius's guard and throws a big left but Horatius blocks it.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Horatius preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Denisov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Denisov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Horatius swivels and escapes.
Denisov closes the distance and pushes Horatius back into the cage.
Denisov has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Horatius after a bit of a struggle.
Denisov jumps into guard, dragging Horatius to the mat.
Horatius loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Denisov tries to strike from the bottom.
Denisov trying to keep a closed guard but Horatius is proving a slippery customer.
Horatius makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Horatius throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Denisov striking from the bottom here.
Denisov bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Horatius's guard.
Denisov scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Denisov slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Horatius keeping moving, preventing Denisov from controlling successfully.
Horatius wants to stand but Denisov is controlling the position.
Denisov throws a big elbow that misses.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Denisov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Horatius keeping moving, preventing Denisov from controlling successfully.
And that's the end of the fight!
Denis Denisov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Denisov 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 28:29
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 29:29
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 29:28
The fight is ruled a draw!
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
39% |
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