PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Oscar Blaydes (ranked 839 p4p, 347 weight class) and Xylon Kofel (ranked 121 p4p, 57 weight class). Blaydes comes to the cage accompanied by Black Sunshine - White Zombie. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Blaydes
vs
Kofel

171 cm
29
158
9 - 4 - 1

173 cm
30
155
16 - 9 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Fast

Furnace Performance 🔥
Silverguard Outfitters 🛡

Bondi MMA 🏝️
Hoarse Pills

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Oscar Blaydes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 9 - 1, fighting out of New York, Xylon Kofel!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Blaydes.
Kofel defending well as Blaydes loads up on a big left hand.
Kofel is looking to clinch.
Kofel cracks Blaydes with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Kofel's coach down at Blacktalians MMA was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Kofel's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
A big right from Blaydes misses.
Blaydes slips a jab from Kofel.
Blaydes chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Blaydes throws a low kick but it's checked well by Kofel.
Kofel doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Kofel walks into a stiff left hand from Blaydes.
Blaydes has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Kofel finds it's way round the side to connect with Blaydes's head.
Blaydes falls off balance throwing a combination
and Kofel counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Blaydes connects with a solid leg kick.
Kofel throws a lazy right hand but Blaydes sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kofel getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Blaydes lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Blaydes fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kofel manages to avoid it.
Blaydes throws a body shot but no joy.
Blaydes moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kofel throws a leg kick that is checked
and Blaydes counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kofel blocks a leg kick.
Blaydes connects with a right hand. Kofel shakes it off.
Kofel looks to land a left hand but Blaydes moved out of range nicely.
Blaydes appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Blaydes missing with a left hand there. Kofel was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Kofel! But no joy.
Blaydes pivots, looking for a leg kick but Kofel is out of range and Blaydes settles back down.
Kofel was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Kofel is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Blaydes uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kofel.
Blaydes ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kofel moves away.
Blaydes cracks Kofel with a right hand to the side of the head.
Kofel tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Blaydes avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Kofel throws a looping overhand right but Blaydes ducks down to avoid it.
Xylon Kofel is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kofel avoids the body shot from Blaydes.
Blaydes bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Blaydes throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Blaydes avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blaydes tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kofel was well out of range. Poor timing from Blaydes.
Blaydes tries to work over Kofel's front leg with a kick but Kofel checks it.
Blaydes swings for the body but Kofel moves out of range.
Blaydes delivers a nice body kick.
Blaydes does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kofel slips under a jab.
Blaydes checks a low kick from Kofel.
Blaydes fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Blaydes avoids the body shot from Kofel.
Oscar Blaydes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kofel swings for the body but Blaydes moves out of range.
Blaydes with the inside leg kick.
Blaydes lands with an overhand left.
Kofel misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Blaydes.
Kofel with a hook.
A swing and a miss from Blaydes.
Blaydes takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Blaydes is looking to score with low kicks.
A little jabbing left from Kofel on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Kofel avoids the body shot from Blaydes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blaydes misses with a hook
enabling Kofel to counter with a crisp jab.
Blaydes uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kofel.
Blaydes smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Blaydes moves out of range as Kofel strikes.
Kofel throws out a leg kick but Blaydes moves out of range and Kofel only half commits.
Kofel fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Blaydes manages to avoid it.
Kofel lands a nice looking body shot.
A clash of legs there as Kofel blocks the low kick.
Blaydes throws a push kick but Kofel slaps the foot to one side.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Kofel! But no joy.
Kofel waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Blaydes.
A jab from Blaydes misses.
Kofel takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Blaydes takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Kofel connects with a body shot that sends Blaydes's belly button to the back.
Kofel throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Blaydes misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kofel.
A nice side step and Kofel releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Blaydes shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kofel pinned against the cage. Kofel gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A little jabbing left from Kofel on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Blaydes closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Blaydes checks the leg kick nicely there.
Kofel is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Blaydes.
Blaydes misses with a series of wild punches.
Blaydes throws a low kick but it's checked well by Kofel.
Kofel misses with a body kick.
Blaydes is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Blaydes misses with a kick to the body.
Kofel swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
A big right from Blaydes misses.
Blaydes takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Kofel misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Blaydes.
Blaydes lands with a right hand.
Blaydes throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kofel scores with a hook to the body. Blaydes takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Oscar Blaydes will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Kofel is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Xylon Kofel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kofel takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kofel. Blaydes does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kofel thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Blaydes if he has to take too many more of those.
Blaydes throws a body punch but Kofel moves out of range.
Blaydes takes one to the side of the head.
Kofel misses the shot to the body.
Blaydes is looking to land body kicks.
A swing and a miss from Blaydes.
Blaydes loads up on a big right hand but Kofel slips the punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Blaydes throws a hook but Kofel blocks it.
Blaydes misses with a looping left.
Kofel looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Kofel lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Blaydes misses with a takedown attempt - Kofel sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blaydes misses with a low kick.
Kofel swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Blaydes checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Kofel has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Kofel there as he acknowledges the shot.
Blaydes thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Kofel if he has to take too many more of those.
Kofel slips under a jab.
Kofel now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Blaydes throws a poor cross that misses
and Kofel counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Blaydes lands with a shot to the body.
Blaydes looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Blaydes looks to land a body kick but Kofel moved away.
Blaydes misses with a straight right.
Blaydes throws a sloppy head kick and Kofel moves out of range easily.
Kofel missing with a left hand there. Blaydes was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A looping hook to the body misses from Blaydes. Kofel does a little dance to reset his feet.
Blaydes takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

Blaydes dives in and scores a takedown into Kofel's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kofel keeping full guard, as Blaydes tries to pass.
Blaydes wants to control from the top but Kofel keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kofel is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Blaydes defends well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Blaydes's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Kofel has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Blaydes has passed into side control.
Blaydes working away.
Blaydes trying to control the action but Kofel is working from the bottom.
Kofel wants to control but Blaydes postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kofel tries to bench press Blaydes off him but Blaydes keeps the position.
Blaydes tries to move to mount but Kofel blocks the move with his legs.
We've been hearing that Blaydes has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Blaydes wants to control for a moment but Kofel uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Blaydes stalling.
Kofel regains full guard. Nicely done.

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.
Blaydes stands up over Kofel, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Kofel lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Kofel seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

Kofel is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Blaydes looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Oscar Blaydes dominated that second round.
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. And we move into the final round!

Blaydes throws a wild body kick that Kofel sees coming a mile off.
Kofel thows a left - swing and a miss!
Blaydes jabs Kofel to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Blaydes misses the shot to the body.
Blaydes fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Kofel has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Blaydes takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Blaydes ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kofel moves away.
Kofel takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Blaydes misses the shot to the body.
Blaydes blocks a leg kick.
Kofel moves away from the strike by Blaydes.
Blaydes looks to land a left hand but Kofel moved out of range nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Blaydes misses with a wild body shot.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kofel looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kofel takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Blaydes throws a lazy uppercut
and Kofel counters with an inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kofel misses the jab.
Blaydes misses with a hook.
Kofel misses with a straight right.
Blaydes connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Kofel misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Blaydes.
It looked like Blaydes wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Kofel misses with an uppercut
and Blaydes counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Blaydes throws a right and a left that Kofel avoids nicely.
Kofel throws a leg kick that misses.
Oscar Blaydes is winning the standup battle so far.
Blaydes throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Kofel stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Blaydes is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kofel can do to turn this around?
Blaydes changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kofel tries to avoid it but Blaydes manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kofel to the ground. Kofel escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Kofel closes the distance and pushes Blaydes back into the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Kofel fails to land.
Blaydes blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Blaydes is looking to break free of the clinch but Kofel has double underhooks.
Kofel blocking some punches.
Kofel jumps guard but Blaydes turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Blaydes blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kofel tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Blaydes's elbow.
Blaydes is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Kofel pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Blaydes tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kofel tries to work over Blaydes's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Blaydes lands with a right to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kofel.
Blaydes pushes Kofel back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kofel misses with a punch on the inside.
Blaydes doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kofel tries to pull guard but Blaydes holds him up against the cage and eventually Kofel drops back down to his feet.
Kofel has a couple of punches blocked by Blaydes.
A short uppercut from Kofel.
Blaydes scores with a nice hook to the head.
Blaydes blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kofel lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Blaydes backwards.
Kofel lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Kofel has a couple of punches blocked by Blaydes.
Blaydes is looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Oscar Blaydes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kofel throws a punch but it's blocked by Blaydes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blaydes blocking some punches.
Kofel is trying to pull guard but Blaydes turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Xylon Kofel seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Blaydes misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kofel lands with a right to the head.
Blaydes misses with a punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Blaydes fails to land.
Blaydes working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Blaydes struggles to land a body shot inside as Kofel controls his hands.

Kofel pulls guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Blaydes controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Kofel wants to sweep but no luck.

Kofel had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Blaydes defends it easily.
Blaydes looking to pass the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blaydes is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Blaydes throwing strikes from guard but Kofel blocks nicely.
Blaydes tries to free his leg and advance position but Kofel is retaining full guard.
Blaydes lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

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 Oscar Blaydes.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Blaydes, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 30:27
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Oscar Blaydes!
After winning the bout, Oscar Blaydes thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.