PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Paulo Blikstein (ranked 2343 p4p, 2359 weight class) and Grey Ape (ranked 302 p4p, 308 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Blikstein
vs
Ape

187 cm
21
200
3 - 2 - 0

185 cm
20
190
3 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Voodoo 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 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Paulo Blikstein!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Grey Ape!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Chris Downing and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Blikstein darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Blikstein throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Blikstein throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Ape to regain full guard.
Blikstein trying to control but Ape is working from the bottom.
Ape is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Blikstein lands a couple of digs.
Blikstein won't allow Ape to sweep him here.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Blikstein accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Ape lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ape controls from within his opponent's guard.
Blikstein is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Ape is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Ape's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Blikstein has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Ape has passed into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Ape wants to lay and pray for a moment but Blikstein keeps working.
Blikstein tries to buck Ape off but Ape is having none of it.

Ape has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Nice jab there from Blikstein.
Blikstein lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Blikstein.
Blikstein darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Ape is looking to clinch but Blikstein is avoiding it.
Ape avoids the body shot from Blikstein.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blikstein connects with a nice looking jab.
Blikstein lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Blikstein checks a leg kick.
A left lands for Ape.
Ape misses with a head kick.
Blikstein blocks a leg kick.
Nice sprawl there from Ape as Blikstein shoots in.
Ape throws a leg kick that is checked

and Blikstein counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Blikstein.
Blikstein postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Ape pulls Blikstein in to control the position.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Blikstein connects with a couple of short punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blikstein trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Blikstein throws a big elbow that misses.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ape has his hands on Blikstein's head, controlling the position.
Blikstein scoring with some ground and pound.
Blikstein won't allow Ape to sweep him here.
Blikstein content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Ape is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Ape is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paulo Blikstein dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Ape drives through and clinches with Blikstein against the cage.
Blikstein is trying to break the clinch but Ape has him pressed against the cage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Blikstein.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Ape lands a shoulder strike.
Blikstein misses with the head strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ape lands a right hand.

Blikstein's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Blikstein swings widly with a right hand
and Ape counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ape misses with a leg kick.
Blikstein shoots in for a double leg but Ape sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Ape.
Blikstein tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ape paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ape takes a swing at Blikstein's ribcage but misses.
Ape tried to score with a low kick but Blikstein checks it.
Blikstein looks to clinch
and Ape counters with a nice leg kick.
Blikstein swings and misses with a hook to the body.
The fight stays on the outside here - Blikstein looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ape is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Blikstein with a body shot.
Blikstein connects with the punch.
Ape throws a head kick but Blikstein moves out of range.
Blikstein changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Ape displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Blikstein.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blikstein has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Ape.
Ape misses with a low kick.
Blikstein is trying hard to land a takedown here. Ape sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Paulo Blikstein. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Blikstein tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Ape throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Blikstein counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Ape moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Blikstein swinging wildly here.
Ape feints a counter leg kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Blikstein cracks Ape with a good jab.
Blikstein checks a low kick from Ape.
Blikstein lands a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ape takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Ape keeps the fight on the outside.

Blikstein shoots in and gets a takedown into Ape's guard.
Ape looking to hit a scissor sweep but Blikstein is one step ahead there.
Blikstein has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Blikstein looking to sit in guard and control but Ape gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Ape stands up from Blikstein's guard - Ape perhaps looking for a knockout.
Blikstein fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ape manages to avoid it.
Blikstein ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Good work by Blikstein as he checks the leg kick.
A quick step to the side and Blikstein tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blikstein shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ape pinned against the cage. Ape gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Ape feints a counter leg kick.
Blikstein takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Ape jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Paulo Blikstein is winning the standup battle so far.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Blikstein paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Ape swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A leg kick checked by Blikstein.
Ape throws a head kick but Blikstein moves out of range.
Blikstein lands a body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Grey Ape will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Ape feints and then cracks Blikstein's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Blikstein down.
Ape tries a head kick but it misses.
Ape slaps away a takedown attempt from Blikstein, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Blikstein ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Ape throws a sloppy head kick and Blikstein moves out of range easily.
Ape ducks under a wild hook from Blikstein.

Blikstein shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Ape is trying to defend but Blikstein finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Ape has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Blikstein is on him like a limpet, forcing Ape back against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Come on Ape - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ape misses with a punch on the inside.
Blikstein misses with a hook to the ribs.
Blikstein content to slow the pace in the clinch.

Blikstein manages to break the clinch.
Blikstein misses with an uppercut.
Ape tries to clinch up.
Blikstein misses with a hook.
Blikstein throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ape sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Blikstein looks for a takedown but Ape sprawls well.
No joy there for Ape, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Blikstein scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Ape moves away from the strike by Blikstein.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice straight punches there by Blikstein. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Blikstein.
Blikstein takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Blikstein throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ape sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Blikstein looking to score a takedown here. Ape is defending well but Blikstein drives through and ends up in Ape's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Blikstein preventing the sweep.
Blikstein throws an elbow that misses. Ape uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Blikstein's guard. Nice move by Ape!

Ape postures up.

Blikstein is working an open guard so Ape takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Ape ducks under a wild hook from Blikstein.
Ape appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Blikstein looks to throw the jab but Ape is out of range.
Ape tries a head kick but it misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blikstein scores with a shot to the body.
Ape throws a sloppy head kick and Blikstein moves out of range easily.
Blikstein is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Ape.
Blikstein tries to close the distance and clinch but Ape swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Ape pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Ape gets caught napping as Blikstein dives in and scores a takedown. Ape manages to retain guard.
Blikstein loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Blikstein trying to control but Ape is working from the bottom.
Blikstein looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Blikstein postures up and lands a big shot to Ape's brow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blikstein landing some decent shots from guard.
Blikstein throws a big right hand that misses.
Ape wants to get back to his feet but Blikstein is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Blikstein's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Ape working a defensive guard here.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Blikstein accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Blikstein trying to control the position from guard on top but Ape is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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 Paulo Blikstein.
I think Blikstein 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 29:28
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Paulo Blikstein!