PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Josh Blaze (ranked 3111 p4p, 5628 weight class) and Jerry Spike (ranked 427 p4p, 639 weight class). Blaze comes to the cage accompanied by VIGILANTE THA’ PROPHIT. 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.

Blaze
vs
Spike

178 cm
25
185
0 - 0 - 0

184 cm
25
191
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Reedok
PWNAGE Elite - $25 Tees

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Josh Blaze!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jerry Spike!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Spike throws a looping overhand right but Blaze ducks down to avoid it.
Spike misses with an uppercut.
Blaze tries to counter with a takedown but Spike is quick to defend against it.
Blaze fails with the takedown.
Spike lands a really nice looking cross but Blaze seems unphased.
Blaze bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A slow jab from Spike misses its intended target.
Blaze takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Blaze tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Spike defends well and Blaze ends up having to push Spike into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Spike unleashes a big counter combination but Blaze bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Blaze is breathing heavily.
A short left from Spike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Blaze breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Spike connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Spike misses with a hook.
Spike throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Blaze ducks under a wild hook from Spike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spike cracks Blaze with an open hand slap.
Spike misses with a straight left.
Spike throws an overhand right that lands on Blaze's shoulder, as Blaze tries to avoid the shot.
Blaze fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Josh Blaze. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Blaze takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Blaze tries to close the distance and clinch but Spike swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A big right from Spike misses.
Spike looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Spike connects with a right hand. Blaze shakes it off.
Blaze misses with a takedown attempt
and Spike makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Jerry Spike seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Blaze blocks a jab.
Spike throws a combination. Blaze tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Spike lunges at Blaze with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Blaze's hand.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Blaze doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Spike counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Spike misses the target.
Spike loads up on a big right hand but Blaze slips the punch.
Nice uppercut there from Spike.
A swing and a miss from Spike.
Spike catches Blaze with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Blaze moves away from the strike by Spike.
Spike bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Spike might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Blaze needs to keep his hands up - Spike had a free shot at his head there.
Spike connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Blaze shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Blaze takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Spike connects with a single shot there.
Blaze moves in looking to clinch but Spike pushes him off.
Spike lands a jab to the nose.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blaze takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Spike looks to land a left hand but Blaze moved out of range nicely.
Blaze moves out of range of the strikes.
Blaze on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Jerry Spike is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Blaze displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Spike throws out the jab.
Spike bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Blaze's head backwards.
Nice defenses there by Blaze.
As Spike tries to get set, Blaze tries to push him back and clinch up but Spike manages to avoid the attempt.
Blaze moves out of range of the strikes.
Blaze has his takedown stuffed
letting Spike counter with a right hand.
Spike connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Blaze takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Donk. Spike catches Blaze right on the button with a cross.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blaze slips under a jab.
Blaze ducks under a wild hook from Spike.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Spike is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Blaze.
Spike jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Spike throws a right and a left that both miss.
Blaze looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Blaze wants to clinch but Spike slips to the side
letting Spike counter with a right hand.
Blaze tries to bum rush Spike with a series of wild strikes but Spike uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Spike looks to land a right hand but Blaze moved out of range.
Spike connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Blaze ducks under a wild hook from Spike.
Blaze shoots in looking for a takedown. Spike tries to sprawl out of it but Blaze keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Spike manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Spike misses with an uppercut.
Spike throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Blaze on the side of the head.
Spike misses with an uppercut. Blaze saw that one coming.
Spike has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Blaze on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Jerry Spike seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Blaze keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Spike.
Blaze tries for a takedown but Spike circles away easily
and Spike counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Spike uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Blaze takes one to the chin there.
Blaze slips a straight right by Spike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A head kick misses from Blaze.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Spike lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Spike.
Spike throws an overhand right that lands on Blaze's shoulder, as Blaze tries to avoid the shot.
Spike punishes Blaze's body with a nice straight punch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Spike is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spike scores with the left hand. Blaze knows he should have avoided that one.
Spike looks to land a left hand but Blaze moved out of range nicely.
Josh Blaze is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Spike misses with a straight left.
Blaze shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Spike counters with a nice uppercut.
Spike connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Blaze momentarily.
Blaze walks into a straight right hand from Spike.
Blaze takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Blaze ducks under a wild hook from Spike.
Spike jabs Blaze right on the nose. Blaze blinks but takes it well.
Spike lands a really nice looking cross but Blaze seems unphased.
Spike lunges at Blaze with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Blaze's hand.
Spike is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Blaze ducks under a wild hook from Spike.
Spike misses with a low kick.
Blaze throws a lazy head kick
enabling Spike to counter with a crisp jab.
Blaze displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Spike throws out the jab.
Blaze takes one to the side of the head.
Blaze shoots in and drives through. Spike sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Josh Blaze. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Good shot there by Spike.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Blaze. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Blaze is trying hard to land a takedown here. Spike sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Blaze walks into a jab.
Spike throws a series of punches but Blaze moves out of range.
Spike looks to throw the jab but Blaze is out of range.
Blaze is trying hard to land a takedown here. Spike sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Blaze slips under a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spike feints a jab promting Blaze to slip. Spike then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Blaze slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Blaze uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Spike.
Blaze is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Spike throws a series of punches but Blaze avoids them all with ease.
Blaze ducks under a wild hook from Spike.
Blaze tries to clinch but Spike moves out of range.
Blaze fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Spike throws a jab but it's blocked by Blaze.
Blaze shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Spike as he avoids it easily.
Spike listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Blaze uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Spike.
Spike defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Blaze.
Blaze blocks a jab.
Blaze doesn't succeed with the takedown
enabling Spike to counter with a crisp jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Blaze gets the takedown into side control.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Blaze is looking to take a break and control but Spike is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Spike really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Blaze. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Blaze stands up and beckons Spike to his feet.
Nice sprawl there from Spike as Blaze shoots in.
Blaze avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Blaze went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Blaze shoots in but Spike avoids the takedown attempt easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jerry Spike showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Spike lands a head shot.
Spike scores with a hook.
Spike throws a hook to the side of Blaze's head but Blaze sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Blaze changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Blaze walks into a stiff left hand from Spike.
Spike wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Blaze bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Blaze slips under a jab from Spike.
Spike misses with a straight left.
Blaze half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Blaze defending well as Spike loads up on a big left hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Blaze with a poor takedown
and Spike counters with a straight right hand.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Blaze needs to keep his hands up - Spike had a free shot at his head there.
Spike swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Spike looks to land a left hand but Blaze moved out of range nicely.
It looked like Blaze was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spike throws a series of strikes that have Blaze backpedaling.
Blaze takes one to the chin there.
Spike looks to land a left hand but Blaze moved out of range nicely.
No joy there for Spike, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Blaze dodges the punch combination from Spike.
Blaze shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Spike scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Donk. Spike catches Blaze right on the button with a cross.
Spike throws a lazy right hand but Blaze sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
It looked like Blaze was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Blaze tries to clinch up but Spike circles away and keeps his distance.
Spike throws a lazy right hand but Blaze sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Blaze is trying hard to land a takedown here. Spike sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blaze tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Spike counters with a stiff right hand.
Blaze will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Josh Blaze. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Spike misses with a series of wild punches.
Nice takedown defense from Spike. No joy for Blaze on that attempt.
Spike looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Spike throws out a loose jab but Blaze uses good head movement to avoid it.
Blaze is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Spike.
A big left from Spike misses.
Blaze ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Blaze went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Spike throws out a loose jab but Blaze uses good head movement to avoid it.
Spike misses with a straight right.
Blaze wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Blaze doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Spike counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blaze tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Spike manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Spike cracks Blaze with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Blaze takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Blaze avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Blaze with a lazy takedown attempt
and Spike counters with a nice uppercut.
Spike scores with a nice right hand.
Blaze shoots and misses
and Spike counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Spike misses the jab.
Spike looks to land a right hand but Blaze moved out of range.
Nice jab there from Spike.
Blaze with a lazy takedown attempt
and Spike counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Blaze fails with an attempt to clinch.
Jerry Spike is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spike misses with a looping left.
Spike getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
A left lands for Spike.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Blaze avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Blaze walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Spike checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Blaze misses with a takedown attempt - Spike sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Spike avoids the body shot from Blaze.
Spike connects with a crisp jab.
Blaze fails in his attempt to clinch.
Spike swats away the attempt to clinch by Blaze.
Josh Blaze has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Blaze gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jerry Spike comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Spike winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight 25:30
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 25:30
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 24:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jerry Spike!