PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Johagum Visagie (ranked 3427 p4p, 3433 weight class) and Joe Denver (ranked 378 p4p, 379 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Visagie
vs
Denver

184 cm
26
185
2 - 1 - 0

184 cm
27
190
2 - 3 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Knockout power

BANZAI NUTRITION

Seventh Circle Clothing
BANZAI NUTRITION

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Johagum Visagie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Joe Denver!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, Jorge Garcia and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Visagie tries to score a power double leg takedown but Denver sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Visagie somewhat.
Denver tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Nice sprawl there from Denver as Visagie shoots in.
Visagie looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

Denver moves into the clinch.

Denver gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Denver trying to mount his opponent but Visagie defends it.
Denver is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Visagie tries to get to full guard but Denver has control of the leg.
Visagie has hold of Denver's hands but Denver slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Visagie taking some punishment here, with Denver in his half guard.
Visagie is staying active underneath Denver, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Denver seems to be looking for submissions.
Denver trying to pass the guard but Visagie defending well.
Denver wants to stand up but Visagie is controlling the position.

Denver looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Denver slips a nice elbow through Visagie's hands, connecting with Visagie's forehead.

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.
Denver is taking a breather. Visagie says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

Denver is working for a submission of some sort.
Denver throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Denver lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Denver scoring with strikes to the body and head.

Denver wants to work for an arm triangle but Visagie is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Denver working Visagie over with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Denver is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Visagie is not content to let Denver control the position.

Denver is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Visagie is just riding it out for now. Denver eventually gives up the hold.
Visagie is looking to control Denver's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Visagie avoid being mounted?
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Visagie is refusing to be controlled, as Denver sits in half guard.
We've been informed that Denver has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Visagie trying to hold on to Denver's head to control him but Denver postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Denver 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.
Denver drops an elbow to the side of Visagie's head.
Denver lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Denver seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Visagie does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Visagie tries to get to full guard but Denver has control of the leg.
Visagie is refusing to be controlled, as Denver sits in half guard.
Denver working the head and body with strikes.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Denver is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Visagie doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Denver.
Denver thows a huge punch but Visagie dodges it nicely.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Denver dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Visagie has a takedown stuffed.

Denver drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Denver scores with punches from side control.
Visagie tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Denver has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Denver tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Visagie wants to control but Denver postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Visagie gets back to half guard.

Denver is working for a kimura but Visagie is defending it quite comfortably.
Joe Denver has got the better of the ground game so far.
Visagie is not content to let Denver control the position.
Denver trying to control the pace.
Denver looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Visagie with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Visagie is not content to let Denver control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Denver is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Visagie defends it well.

Visagie is defending against the submission attempts here by Denver.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Denver is looking for a kimura but Visagie is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Denver to get the leverage.
Denver landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Denver trying to work for an americana but Visagie has managed to regain full guard.
Denver passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Denver lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Visagie down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Visagie is trying to improve his position.
Denver trying to control the position but Visagie is working away.
Denver tries to stand but Visagie is controlling his head.
Visagie manages to get back to half guard.
Denver wants to free his trapped foot but Visagie is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Denver drops an elbow to the side of Visagie's head.
Visagie is trying to stand up here but Denver is controlling him well.

Denver is working for a kimura but Visagie is defending it quite comfortably.

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.

Denver is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Visagie taking some punishment here, with Denver in his half guard.
Visagie wants to get back to full guard.
Denver is just content to waste time from the top position. Visagie takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Visagie wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Visagie is on top in guard.

Denver tries to land a sweep but no joy.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Denver showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Denver bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Denver in side control, working for a kimura. He's got hold of an arm and he's torquing it... Visagie is tapping! That's the end of the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:26 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Joe Denver!