PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between BJ Penn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and August Derleth (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Penn
vs
Derleth

172 cm
27
134 lbs
8 - 6 - 0

176 cm
28
135 lbs
9 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Dangerous knees
Powerful

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 8 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, BJ Penn!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, August Derleth!
The judges for this bout are Dillan Fox, Alec Ball and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Penn fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Penn drives through and clinches with Derleth against the cage.
Penn drops down looking for an ankle pick but Derleth pulls his leg out and moves away.

Derleth forces Penn back against the cage and clinches.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Derleth obliges.
Penn wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for BJ Penn. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Derleth is pressed up against the cage. Penn has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Derleth down to the mat. Derleth avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Penn on the wrong end of a kick to the body.

Derleth gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Penn jumps guard but Derleth stands there with Penn around his waist. Penn gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Derleth lands a nice elbow.

It looks like BJ Penn has been cut.

Penn wants the takedown. Derleth is fighting it off but Penn persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Derleth's guard against the cage.
Derleth is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Derleth wants to stand but Penn is controlling the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Derleth controls Penn momentarily but Penn frees himself.
Derleth is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Penn is controlling him.

Penn postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Derleth is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Penn, into his guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Derleth tries to stand but Penn is controlling from the bottom.

Penn has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Derleth can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Penn isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Derleth stacks Penn on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Derleth!

Derleth has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

Derleth clinches up with Penn and pushes him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Derleth lands a right hand.
Derleth connects with a nasty looking knee right to Penn's face.

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

Derleth moves into the clinch successfully.
Derleth tries a knee to the head but Penn blocks it.
Penn tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Derleth gets through Penn's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Derleth with a knee to the head.
Derleth prevents the takedown attempt.
Penn wants to break the clinch but can't.
Derleth makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

Penn is rocked!
Derleth connects with a nasty looking knee right to Penn's face.
Oh Penn is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Penn is breathing heavily.
Derleth lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

Derleth breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Derleth clinches up against the cage.

Derleth manages to break the clinch.
Derleth circles to his right before unloading a perfect head kick! Penn drops to the canvas, hurt badly! Derleth follows Penn to the ground and unloads with a series of strikes that force the referee to step in and end the fight! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:43 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). August Derleth!