PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Denis Denisov (ranked 21592 p4p, 2782 weight class) and Dylan Elkins (ranked 491 p4p, 346 weight class). Denis Denisov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Denisov
vs
Elkins

167 cm
32
140
10 - 24 - 2

177 cm
32
141
8 - 14 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Vegan Gains

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 24 - 2, fighting out of Los Angeles, Denis Denisov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Dylan Elkins!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Jack Bonds and Percy O'Donnell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Denisov closes the distance and pushes Elkins back into the cage.
I was talking to Denisov's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.

Denisov pulls guard successfully.
Elkins forces his way into half guard.
Elkins blocks the strikes from Denisov.
Denisov is staying active underneath Elkins, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Denisov is trying to get back to full guard.
Elkins lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Denisov tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Elkins lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Denisov tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Denisov has hold of Elkins's hands but Elkins slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Denisov tries to get to full guard but Elkins has control of the leg.
Denisov has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Denisov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Denisov gets back to full guard.
Denisov is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Elkins postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Elkins works over Denisov with some ground and pound from guard.
Elkins lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Denisov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Elkins trying to control but Denisov is working from the bottom.
Denisov wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Elkins chips away with some ground and pound.
Denisov can't keep his opponent in guard - Elkins advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Elkins lands strikes from half guard.
Denisov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Elkins lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Elkins working over Denisov with some ground and pound. Denisov looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Elkins blocks the strikes from Denisov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Denisov flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Elkins wants to free his trapped foot but Denisov is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Denisov tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Denisov missing with punches from the bottom.
Elkins working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Elkins wants to take a breather but Denisov is having none of it.
Elkins prevents Denisov from improving his position.
Denisov flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Denisov tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Elkins looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Denisov with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Denisov tries to get to full guard but Elkins has control of the leg.
Ground and pound from Elkins.
Elkins prevents Denisov from improving his position.
Denisov has hold of Elkins's hands but Elkins slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Elkins blocks the strikes from Denisov.
Elkins looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Denisov with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Denisov misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Denisov throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Denisov makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Denisov.
Elkins landing with the ground and pound.
Denisov tries to strike from the bottom.
Denisov trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Elkins slips nicely into half guard.
Denisov wants to improve his position but Elkins is controlling well.
Elkins winds up and cracks Denisov with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

Elkins is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Denisov is just riding it out for now. Elkins eventually gives up the hold.
Elkins winds up and cracks Denisov with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Elkins wants to pass the guard but Denisov is defending well.
Denisov tries to roll over but Elkins keeps him under control.
Denisov is trying to maintain the position but Elkins is very close to passing his half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Elkins connects with a nice short shot to Denisov's temple.
Elkins uses his free foot to push down on Denisov's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Denisov.
Denisov is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Elkins is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Denisov is surviving well by controlling Elkins's body position as best he can.
Denisov slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Elkins drops an elbow to the side of Denisov's head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Dylan Elkins dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Elkins has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Elkins misses with a punch on the inside.

Elkins has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Denisov uses from the top position.
Elkins wants to get back to his feet but Denisov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Elkins 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.
Denisov distracts Elkins with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Denisov throws a big elbow that misses.
Denisov is fighting to break Elkins's control of his arms but Elkins is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Elkins is trying to control the position from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Denisov landing with the ground and pound.
Elkins looking to hit a scissor sweep but Denisov is one step ahead there.
Denisov postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Elkins looking for a sweep. Not yet Elkins, not yet.

Elkins pushes Denisov off and scrambles back to his feet.

Denisov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Elkins softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Elkins prevents the takedown attempt.
Denisov tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Elkins misses with a hook to the ribs.

Elkins successfully pulls guard.
Denisov with a nice head shot there.
Denisov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Denisov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Denisov throws a big elbow that misses.
Elkins is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Dylan Elkins has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Elkins is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Denisov lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Denisov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Denisov postures up in Elkins's guard and throws a big left but Elkins blocks it.
Elkins is pulling down on Denisov's head. It's preventing any offense from Denisov, at least for the moment.
Elkins is looking to stand up but Denisov isn't so interested in that idea.
Elkins pulls Denisov in close to his closed guard and prevents Denisov from doing any damage or advancing position.
Elkins has momentary wrist control but Denisov slips an elbow through the middle.
Elkins looking to hit a scissor sweep but Denisov is one step ahead there.
Elkins trying to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Denisov postures up in Elkins's guard and throws a big left but Elkins blocks it.
Denisov stands up over Elkins, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Denisov throws a big elbow that misses.
Denisov scoring with punches to the head and body.
Elkins pulls Denisov in close to his closed guard and prevents Denisov from doing any damage or advancing position.
Elkins looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Elkins controlling the position.
Denisov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Denisov slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Elkins is trying to escape the position but Denisov is controlling the position.
Denisov throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Denisov working the body and head with strikes.
Elkins taking a bit of punishment here - Denisov scoring with strikes.
Elkins takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Elkins sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Elkins wants to improve his position but Denisov is controlling well.
Elkins moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Elkins has his hands on Denisov's head, controlling the position.
Denisov lands a couple of elbows.
Denisov is looking to work some ground and pound but Elkins has wrist control.
Denisov wants to control from the top but Elkins keeps moving.
Denisov throwing strikes but missing.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Denis Denisov dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Denisov throws a shot from downtown. Elkins moves away and avoids it.
Denisov darts in looking for a takedown but Elkins gets double underhooks and turns Denisov into the cage.

Elkins drags the fight down to the ground.
Elkins looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Denisov puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Elkins tries to get to full guard but Denisov has control of the leg.
Denisov winds up and cracks Elkins with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Elkins is looking to improve his position.
Denisov winds up and cracks Elkins with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Denisov thows a huge punch but Elkins dodges it nicely.
Elkins moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Denisov won't allow Elkins to sweep him here.
Denisov is looking to work some ground and pound but Elkins has wrist control.
Denisov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Elkins looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Denisov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Elkins keeping moving, preventing Denisov from controlling successfully.
Denisov throws a big elbow that misses.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Elkins is on top in guard.

Denisov punching from the bottom - just letting Elkins know he's still in a fight.
Elkins's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Denisov wants to sweep here but Elkins controlling him for the moment.
Denisov throwing rabbit punches from the bottom - showing the judges that he's keeping busy.
Denisov lands a couple of shots from the bottom.
Denisov 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.
Denisov thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Elkins landing some decent shots from guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Elkins trying to control the position from guard on top but Denisov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Denisov is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Elkins is positioning himself well to prevent Denisov advancing to mount.
Denisov is keen to just control but Elkins is a slippery customer.
Denisov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Elkins's head.
Elkins blocking the ground and pound attempt from Denisov.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Denisov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Denisov prevents Elkins from improving his position.
Denisov throwing shots but Elkins is blocking nicely.
Elkins is looking to escape.
Denisov prevents Elkins from improving his position.
Elkins has his hands clasped together around Denisov's back. He's all about the action.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Elkins gets full guard.
Denisov wants to control from the top but Elkins keeps moving.
Elkins 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.
Elkins pulls Denisov in to control the position.
Denisov stopping the sweep attempt from Elkins.
Denisov throws a big right hand that misses.
Elkins has control of Denisov's left arm, preventing Denisov from doing any damage.
Denisov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Elkins works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Elkins wants to sweep but no luck.
Denisov working some strikes from top position.
Denisov showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Denisov trying to control but Elkins is working from the bottom.
Elkins working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Denisov.
Denisov trying to control the position from guard on top but Elkins is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Elkins is trying to control the position but Denisov postures up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

Denisov closes the distance and pushes Elkins back into the cage.
Denisov fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Elkins pulls guard successfully.
Denisov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Elkins working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Denisov.
Elkins has his hands on Denisov's head, controlling the position.
Elkins wants to stand but Denisov is controlling the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Denis Denisov showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Denisov has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Denis Denisov!
A victorious Denis Denisov thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.