PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Oscar Blaydes (ranked 143 p4p, 255 weight class) and Alexander Lincoln (ranked 25 p4p, 42 weight class). Blaydes comes to the cage accompanied by Black Sunshine - White Zombie. Lincoln has chosen Sgt MacKenzie as his entrance music. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Blaydes
vs
Lincoln

171 cm
30
158
12 - 4 - 1

180 cm
29
160
12 - 3 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Northern Zombie
Shadow Realm Apparel

Shadow Realm Apparel
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

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 12 - 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 12 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Alexander Lincoln !
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Hirohito Nitta and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A clash of legs there as Blaydes blocks the low kick.
Blaydes blocks a jab.
Lincoln throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Blaydes sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Blaydes pushes Lincoln up against the cage in a clinch.
Lincoln blocking some punches.
Blaydes struggles to land a body shot inside as Lincoln controls his hands.
Blaydes lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Lincoln .
Lincoln wants to get back to striking at distance but Blaydes won't allow it.
Lincoln misses with a punch on the inside.
Lincoln tries to break free but Blaydes pushes him back against the cage.
A short body shot lands from Blaydes as the two fighters clinch.

Blaydes's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Lincoln misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Blaydes.
Blaydes cracks a nice hook into Lincoln 's ribs.
Blaydes misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lincoln .
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Blaydes chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Lincoln throws a push kick but Blaydes slaps the foot to one side.
No joy there for Lincoln , who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Lincoln throws a leg kick that misses.
Blaydes slips a jab from Lincoln .
Blaydes thuds a left hand into Lincoln 's body.
Blaydes displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Lincoln throws out the jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blaydes moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Lincoln throws a hook but Blaydes avoids it easily.
Blaydes attempts a counter takedown but Lincoln avoids it well and moves away.
Lincoln throws a hook but Blaydes blocks it.
Lincoln misses with a looping left.
Blaydes misses with an uppercut. Lincoln saw that one coming.
Blaydes throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Lincoln ducks right into an uppercut from Blaydes.
Lincoln tries a head kick but it misses.

Blaydes shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Blaydes missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Blaydes stalling.
Blaydes moves into full mount! Lincoln won't be happy about that!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blaydes pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
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!
Blaydes raining down hammerfists from mount.
Blaydes has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Lincoln is trying desperately to improve position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Blaydes lands with some strikes.
Blaydes lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Lincoln hang on?
Lincoln is looking to get to half guard.
Blaydes trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Lincoln regains half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blaydes is controlling the pace.
Blaydes seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Lincoln for as long as he can get away with.
Lincoln is trying to maintain the position but Blaydes is very close to passing his half guard.
Lincoln is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Blaydes is nestled in close to Lincoln , controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Lincoln has hold of Blaydes's hands but Blaydes slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Blaydes takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Blaydes in particular looking to stall.
Blaydes looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Lincoln with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Blaydes throwing shots but Lincoln is blocking nicely.
Still in half guard, Blaydes seems content to control.
Blaydes lands strikes from half guard.
Blaydes content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Blaydes working Lincoln over with strikes.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Oscar Blaydes dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Lincoln keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Lincoln looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Blaydes uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Lincoln .

Blaydes closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Blaydes lands in his opponent's guard.
Blaydes is in close to Lincoln 's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Oscar Blaydes overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Blaydes postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Blaydes stays in close to Lincoln 's body and controls the position.
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 prevents Lincoln from getting back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Blaydes won't allow Lincoln to sweep him here.
Blaydes wants to control from the top but Lincoln keeps moving.
Lincoln wants to sweep but no luck.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blaydes scoring with punches to the head and body.
Blaydes wants to control from the top but Lincoln keeps moving.
Blaydes is really struggling to control Lincoln but he's trying to hold on to the position.

Lincoln has his foot on Blaydes's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Blaydes works his way back into a safe position though.
Lincoln looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Blaydes puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Blaydes seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Lincoln does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Blaydes stalling away here and it's allowed Lincoln to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.

That's two 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.
Lincoln working a defensive guard here.
Blaydes is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Lincoln cracks Blaydes with a good jab.
Blaydes goes for a double leg but Lincoln avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Lincoln continues to drive forward.
A short uppercut from Blaydes.

Blaydes breaks from the clinch.
Lincoln throws a right and a left that Blaydes avoids nicely.
Lincoln misses with a body kick.
Lincoln throws an overhand right that lands on Blaydes's shoulder, as Blaydes tries to avoid the shot.
Lincoln throws the kick towards the body but Blaydes avoids it.
Lincoln fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Blaydes checks it well.
Lincoln throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Lincoln cracks Blaydes with a right hand to the side of the head.
Lincoln misses with a body shot.
Blaydes drops down looking for a counter takedown but Lincoln sprawls and moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blaydes shoots in for a takedown but Lincoln shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Lincoln ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Blaydes is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Lincoln can do to turn this around?
Blaydes connects with a body shot that sends Lincoln 's belly button to the back.
Lincoln jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Blaydes feinted with a counter takedown.
Blaydes scores with the left hand. Lincoln knows he should have avoided that one.
Blaydes connects with a nice looking jab.
Lincoln misses with a wild body shot.
Lincoln thuds his right hand into Blaydes's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Lincoln leaves Blaydes with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Oscar Blaydes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Blaydes sizes up Lincoln with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Lincoln throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Blaydes.
Blaydes staying out of range there.
Lincoln throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Blaydes throws a wild body kick that Lincoln sees coming a mile off.
Alexander Lincoln seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Lincoln ducks under a wild hook from Blaydes.
Lincoln throws out a counter right but Blaydes avoids it with no problem.
Blaydes tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lincoln was well out of range. Poor timing from Blaydes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lincoln throws a hook but Blaydes avoids it easily.
Blaydes ducks under a wild hook from Lincoln .
Lincoln looks to land a combination but Blaydes avoids it well.
Lincoln throws a solid leg kick but Blaydes takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Lincoln .
Blaydes changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Lincoln throws a series of punches but Blaydes avoids them all with ease.
Blaydes throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Lincoln pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Blaydes throws a head kick but Lincoln moves out of range.
Blaydes wants to clinch.
It seemed like Lincoln was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Lincoln throws a looping overhand right but Blaydes ducks down to avoid it.
Lincoln misses with an uppercut.
Lincoln throws a hook but Blaydes avoids it easily.
Lincoln throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Lincoln ducks under a wild hook from Blaydes.
Lincoln takes a swing at Blaydes's ribcage but misses.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Lincoln crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Blaydes - the referee stops the clock and Lincoln gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Blaydes. Lincoln manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Alexander Lincoln is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The fighters circling - Lincoln throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Alexander Lincoln 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!

A looping hook to the body misses from Blaydes. Lincoln does a little dance to reset his feet.
Lincoln ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Blaydes moves away.
Blaydes with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A telegraphed right hand from Lincoln misses the target.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Blaydes.
Blaydes takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Blaydes avoids the head kick by Lincoln .
Lincoln looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Lincoln throws a looping overhand right but Blaydes ducks down to avoid it.
Blaydes attempts a counter takedown but Lincoln avoids it well and moves away.
Blaydes uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Lincoln .
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Blaydes checks a leg kick.
Blaydes half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Lincoln is looking to score with low kicks.
Lincoln throws a nice looking combination but Blaydes bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Blaydes shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Lincoln as he jumps to the side.
An inside leg kick lands from Blaydes.
Lincoln scores with a jab to the head.
Lincoln walks into a stiff left hand from Blaydes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blaydes thows a body kick. Lincoln tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Blaydes takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Blaydes throws a hook but Lincoln avoids it easily.
Lincoln throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Blaydes with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Lincoln throws a looping overhand right but Blaydes ducks down to avoid it.
Blaydes feinted with a counter takedown.
Lincoln lands the left hand.
Blaydes tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lincoln was well out of range. Poor timing from Blaydes.
Blaydes tries to work over Lincoln 's front leg with a kick but Lincoln checks it.
Lincoln looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Blaydes bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Lincoln checks a low kick from Blaydes.
Blaydes shoots in but no luck this time.
Blaydes fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Oscar Blaydes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The fighters circling - Lincoln throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Lincoln throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Blaydes sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Lincoln 's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Blaydes connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Lincoln scrambles back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lincoln throws a hook to the side of Blaydes's head but Blaydes sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Blaydes shoots in but no luck this time.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Blaydes throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Blaydes is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Lincoln misses with a double jab.
Lincoln gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

Blaydes is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Lincoln 's half guard.
Blaydes is trying to control. Lincoln wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Blaydes looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Blaydes working Lincoln over with strikes.
Blaydes performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blaydes looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Lincoln with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Lincoln keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Blaydes trying to control from half guard but Lincoln is working away.
Nice strikes from Blaydes there.
Lincoln pushes Blaydes off looking to stand but Blaydes dives back in and keeps control.
Ground and pound from Blaydes.
Blaydes landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Blaydes content to control rather than advance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lincoln is trying to stand.
Blaydes trying to mount his opponent but Lincoln defends it.
Lincoln tries to roll over but Blaydes keeps him under control.
Blaydes slips a nice elbow through Lincoln 's hands, connecting with Lincoln 's forehead.
Blaydes is taking a breather. Lincoln 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.
Blaydes is looking to take a break and control but Lincoln is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

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.
I think Blaydes 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 Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 29:28
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Oscar Blaydes!
A victorious Oscar Blaydes thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.