PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Denis Denisov (ranked 3604 p4p, 2920 weight class) and Mason Rogers (ranked 420 p4p, 372 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Denisov
vs
Rogers

167 cm
34
140
12 - 28 - 3

168 cm
39
152
18 - 17 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

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Silverguard Outfitters 🛡

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 12 - 28 - 3, fighting out of Los Angeles, Denis Denisov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 17 - 1, fighting out of London, Mason Rogers!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Ren Mimura and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rogers throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rogers keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Denisov throws a push kick but Rogers slaps the foot to one side.
Rogers is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Denisov slips under a jab.
Rogers throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Denisov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Denisov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Rogers sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
A nice side step and Rogers releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Denisov defending well as Rogers loads up on a big left hand.
Denis Denisov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Danga de danga de dang - Denisov scores with a four punch combination!
Denisov moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Denisov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Denisov closes the distance and clinches.
Rogers wants to break the clinch but can't.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Denisov.
Rogers is pushing Denisov up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Denisov fails to pull the fight into his guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Denis Denisov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Denisov manages to pull guard.
Denisov keeping moving, preventing Rogers from controlling successfully.
Rogers working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Denisov's head.
Rogers working some strikes from top position.
Denisov trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Rogers missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Denisov trying to strike off his back.
Denisov striking from the bottom here.
Rogers won't allow Denisov to get back to his feet.
Rogers working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Rogers won't allow Denisov to sweep him here.
Denisov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rogers wants to pass the guard but Denisov is keeping the position.
Denisov throwing short punches from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Rogers throws a low kick, looking for Denisov's leg but Denisov calmly moves out of range.
Rogers stuffs the takedown attempt from Denisov. Denisov gets slowly back to his feet.
Denisov misses with a two punch combination.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Rogers! But no joy.
Denisov lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Rogers throws a nice looking combination but Denisov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Rogers avoids a punch combination nicely.
Rogers dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rogers dips to his left and cracks Denisov with an uppercut!
Denisov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Rogers bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Denisov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A punch lands to the side of Denisov 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Denisov lands with a nice combination. Rogers backs away looking to recover.
Denisov fails with the takedown.
Rogers slips a jab and a cross from Denisov.
Rogers defending well as Denisov loads up on a big left hand.
Rogers keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Denisov shoots in looking for a takedown but Rogers manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Denisov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Rogers swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Denisov misses with a wild combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rogers throws a big shot that misses.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rogers tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Denisov was well out of range. Poor timing from Rogers.
Denisov fails with the takedown

and Rogers moves into the clinch.
Denisov tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Rogers scores with a hook to the body.
Rogers connects with a knee to the head.
Rogers tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Denisov avoids it.
Rogers misses with a hook from the clinch.

Denisov manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Rogers working some strikes from top position.
Denisov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Rogers throwing strikes but missing.
Rogers is working Denisov over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Mason Rogers will probably get the nod.
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.

Denisov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Good standup being displayed there by Denisov as he connects with a hook.
Denisov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rogers tries to avoid it but Denisov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rogers to the ground. Rogers escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
A countering left hand to the body from Rogers misses.
Denisov checks a leg kick nicely.
Rogers misses with a hook. Denisov ducked under it nicely.
Rogers scores with a spinning back kick!
Denisov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Denisov throws a series of punches but Rogers moves out of range.
Nice defenses there by Denisov.
Denisov tries to counter by clinching up but Rogers breaks away and moves out of range.
Denisov checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Denisov seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Denisov misses with a double jab
and Rogers counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Denisov 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.
Denisov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Rogers tries a quick counter leg kick but Denisov is wise to it.
Denisov tries to clinch up.
Denisov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Mason Rogers seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Denisov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rogers.
Rogers looks to throw the jab but Denisov is out of range.
Rogers has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Rogers swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Denisov tries to clinch up but Rogers circles away and keeps his distance.
Rogers scores with a hook.
Denisov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rogers throws a looping overhand right but Denisov ducks down to avoid it.
Rogers scores with a leg kick.
Rogers has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Denisov closes the distance but Rogers moves to the side
and Rogers counters with a stiff right hand.
Denisov throws a series of punches but Rogers avoids them all with ease.
Denisov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rogers.
Rogers misses the jab.
Denisov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
A big right from Rogers misses.
Nice sprawl there from Rogers as Denisov shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Denis Denisov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rogers throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Denisov throws a series of punches but Rogers avoids them all with ease.
A nice side step and Rogers releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Denisov misses with a low kick.
Rogers is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Denisov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Rogers lands with a good body shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rogers lands with a thumping leg kick.
Denisov slips a jab and a cross from Rogers.
Denisov displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Denisov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Denis Denisov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rogers comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Denisov throws a series of strikes that have Rogers backpedaling.
Rogers connects with a body shot.
Rogers swings for the body but Denisov moves out of range.
Denisov tries to clinch there but Rogers circles away.
Denisov has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Denisov there as he acknowledges the shot.
Denisov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Rogers throws out the jab.

Rogers gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Denisov to score an easy takedown into full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Rogers holds on and takes a little breather.
Rogers working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Denisov.
Denisov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Rogers is on top in guard.

Rogers working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Denisov throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Rogers passes Denisov's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Rogers thows a huge punch but Denisov dodges it nicely.
Denisov throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rogers throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Denisov is looking to improve his position.
Denisov landing a few short strikes.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Rogers lands a nice short elbow.
Rogers prevents Denisov from improving his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Denisov is looking to escape.
Denisov tries to roll over but Rogers keeps him under control.
Rogers 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 is looking for a sweep. Rogers is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Denisov walks into a stiff left hand from Rogers.
Rogers throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nice takedown defense from Rogers. No joy for Denisov on that attempt.
Denisov misses with a takedown attempt - Rogers sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Denisov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rogers's waist but Rogers gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Denisov off to one side.
Rogers changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Denis Denisov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Denisov misses with a wild body shot.
Denisov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Rogers only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Rogers swats away the attempt to clinch by Denisov.
Rogers now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Rogers throws a lazy right hand but Denisov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Denisov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Rogers circles away quickly and effectively.
Denisov drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
A lazy left from Rogers finds it's target.
Rogers comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Denisov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Denisov doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Rogers fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Denisov manages to avoid it.
It looked like Denisov was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Denisov shoots in but Rogers avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Rogers tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Denisov was well out of range. Poor timing from Rogers.
Denisov swinging wildly here.
Denisov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Denisov sets himself, and Rogers steps forward looking for the clinch! Denisov avoids it this time.
Denisov tries to bum rush Rogers with a series of wild strikes but Rogers uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Denisov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rogers paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Rogers digs a good body shot into Denisov's ribs.
Rogers jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Denisov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Rogers only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rogers lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rogers misses with a straight left.
Denisov doesn't manage to clinch there - Rogers circles away.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rogers. Denisov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Denisov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Rogers.
Rogers fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Denisov is out of range.
Rogers looks to land a body kick but Denisov moved away.
Denisov fails with the takedown.
Denis Denisov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Denisov takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Rogers lands a nice shot to the body.

Rogers looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Denisov strikes from the bottom but Rogers uses the opportunity to move to side control.
Mason Rogers has got the better of the ground game so far.
Rogers working the ground and pound from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rogers tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.

Rogers is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Denisov knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
You can see the frustration on Denisov's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Rogers working the strikes but Denisov uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Denisov tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Rogers trying to control from half guard but Denisov is working away.
Denisov tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Mason Rogers is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
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.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Denisov gets back to full guard.

Denisov is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Rogers distracts Denisov with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Rogers scoring with some ground and pound.
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.
Rogers trying to control the position from guard on top but Denisov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Denisov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Denisov keeping moving, preventing Rogers from controlling successfully.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mason Rogers comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Rogers has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mason Rogers!
A very excited looking Mason Rogers made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.