PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Roderick Gardner (ranked 5709 p4p, 25428 weight class) and Denzel Junior (ranked 281 p4p, 315 weight class). Gardner comes to the cage accompanied by Why Can't We Be Friends?. Denzel Junior is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Gardner
vs
Junior

161 cm
19
140
1 - 2 - 0

178 cm
19
135
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Can Moonwalk

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Roderick Gardner!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Denzel Junior!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Timothy Bukovac and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gardner has his takedown stuffed

and Junior counters by moving into the clinch.

Junior's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Junior throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Gardner tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Junior is in Gardner's guard.
Gardner keeping full guard, as Junior tries to pass.
Junior preventing the sweep.
Junior trying to control the position from guard on top but Gardner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gardner wants to hit a sweep here but Junior passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Gardner there!
Gardner is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Junior tries to control but Gardner wriggling away.
Junior is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Gardner is looking to improve his position but Junior isn't that keen on the idea.
Gardner wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Junior.
Junior trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Gardner tries to reverse the position but Junior maintains control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Junior controlling from mount.

Junior is working for a guillotine from mount but Gardner frees his head quite easily.
Gardner is trying desperately to improve position.
Gardner has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Junior wants to control the pace but Gardner is squirming around nicely.
Gardner tries to hold on but Junior postures up.
Junior can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Gardner is looking to escape.
Gardner is working to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Gardner is working hard here to advance position.
Gardner is trying to reverse the position but instead Junior has taken his back - oops!
Gardner looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
I really don't envy Gardner right now.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Junior trying to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gardner rolls, trying to escape but Junior keeps control of the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Denzel Junior dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Junior has Gardner up against the cage in a clinch.

Junior pulls guard successfully.
Junior being controlled here, momentarily.
Gardner stopping the sweep attempt from Junior.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gardner controlling from the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Junior is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Gardner lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Junior is trying to control the position but Gardner postures up.
Junior wants to sweep here but Gardner controlling him for the moment.

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

Junior fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Gardner, pushing him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Junior ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Junior no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Gardner decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Junior, up you get!

Junior drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Gardner has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Junior off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Junior is breathing heavily.
Junior throws a half hearted mid kick.
Gardner drops down looking for a counter takedown but Junior sprawls and moves away.
Roderick Gardner is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Gardner scores with a takedown into Junior's guard.
Gardner engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Gardner drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Junior manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Gardner has Junior in his guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gardner bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Junior's guard.

Junior is trying to keep Gardner in close.
Gardner stopping the sweep attempt from Junior.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Gardner drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Gardner jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Gardner looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Gardner postures up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gardner won't allow Junior to get back to his feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Roderick Gardner 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. This is the final round!

A head kick misses from Junior.
Gardner changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Junior scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Gardner doesn't seem bothered though.

Gardner fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Junior sprawls well initially but Gardner persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Gardner seems to be working for a kimura but Junior defends the submission attempt.
Junior is trying to control but Gardner passes into side control!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Junior wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

That's one minute gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Junior's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Junior sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Gardner is trying to work for a kimura but Junior is defending well.
Junior tries to get to full guard but Gardner has control of the leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Gardner decides to stand and escape the position.
Gardner shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Junior but Junior pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Junior tries a low kick but Gardner avoids it.

Junior gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Gardner wants the takedown. Junior is fighting it off but Gardner persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Junior's guard against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gardner's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Junior preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Gardner decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Junior misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Gardner half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

Junior gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Gardner is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Junior is defending well for now.

Gardner has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Junior is trying to keep an underhook but Gardner manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Junior is looking to escape.
Gardner sitting and controlling from the half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Junior is looking for a sweep. Gardner is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Gardner escapes and gets back to his feet.

Gardner gets the takedown into side control.
Junior wants to get back to his feet but Gardner is dominant here and he's now got Junior's back!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Junior looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Junior is in bad spot here.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Roderick Gardner.
I think Gardner 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Roderick Gardner!
Post fight, an emotional Roderick Gardner said 'i dedicate this fight to the one true king and queen of the universe, whose name is none other than Elvis and Marilyn Monroe. And let's not forget the great red Dragon... Barry White, and Aretha franklin. the Woman clothed with the sun'.