PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kenny Blankenship (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Benjamin Barkley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Blankenship comes to the cage accompanied by Dead Man's Party. 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.

Blankenship
vs
Barkley

186 cm
26
196 lbs
11 - 6 - 0

190 cm
26
197 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Decent boxing
Knockout power

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 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Kenny Blankenship!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Benjamin Barkley!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Mauricio Rocha and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Blankenship closes the distance and clinches.
Barkley is trying to drag Blankenship to the mat but Blankenship just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Barkley can't get the takedown.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Barkley.

Barkley pulls Blankenship into guard.
Blankenship is looking to work some ground and pound but Barkley has wrist control.
Barkley has a closed guard, preventing Blankenship from standing up.
Blankenship looking to pass the guard.

Barkley looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Blankenship pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Barkley is keeping the position for now.
Blankenship wants to control from the top but Barkley keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blankenship postures up in Barkley's guard and throws a big left but Barkley blocks it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Blankenship fails to land with a series of punches.
Blankenship lands with a cross.
Blankenship throws a right hand that Barkley ducks under and follows up with a left that Barkley also avoids with ease.
Blankenship closes the distance and lands a one-two.

Blankenship moves into the clinch successfully.
Blankenship lands a hook to the side of the head.
Blankenship is working Barkley over against the cage.
A left hand lands to the body for Blankenship.
A frustrated look appears on Blankenship's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Barkley goes for a takedown attempt but Blankenship pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Kenny Blankenship has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Benjamin Barkley.

Blankenship gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Blankenship slowing the pace effectively.

Blankenship manages to break the clinch.
Barkley shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Blankenship but Blankenship pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Barkley takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Barkley looks gassed!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Blankenship moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

Blankenship moves into the clinch.
A body shot lands from Blankenship.

Blankenship escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Blankenship dips to his left and cracks Barkley with an uppercut!
Blankenship scores with a jab to the head.

Blankenship instigates a clinch.
Blankenship throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

Blankenship escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Blankenship rushes Barkley and presses him up against the cage.
Blankenship presses Barkley against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Blankenship throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Barkleys head.
Blankenship is leaning against Barkley and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Blankenship is pushing Barkley up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Blankenship comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blankenship effectively controlling the action here.
Blankenship lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Blankenship breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Barkley takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Blankenship throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Barkley.

Blankenship has Barkley up against the cage in a clinch.
Still in the clinch, Blankenship scores with a nice short uppercut.
A short body shot lands from Blankenship as the two fighters clinch.

Blankenship pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Barkley takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Nice body punch from Blankenship.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Blankenship lands a left and a right that send Barkley crashing to the mat, dazed. Blankenship thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!

Barkley is rocked!
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!

Blankenship gets in close and instigates a clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Blankenship creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Blankenship is pressed up against the cage. Barkley has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Blankenship down to the mat. Blankenship avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Blankenship forces Barkley back against the cage and clinches.

Blankenship escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Blankenship throws a nice looking combination but Barkley bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Barkley on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Barkley tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Blankenship paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Blankenship lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Blankenship scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Barkley doesn't seem bothered though.
Blankenship ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Blankenship ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Barkley takes one on the button.
Barkley tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

Blankenship shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Blankenship was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Blankenship lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenny Blankenship dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Blankenship lands with an overhand left.
Blankenship scores with a hook to the body. Barkley takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Blankenship fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Barkley takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Barkley needs to keep his hands up - Blankenship had a free shot at his head there.
Blankenship lands with a slapping head kick.

Barkley gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Blankenship to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Blankenship trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Barkley looking to hit a scissor sweep but Blankenship is one step ahead there.

Barkley looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Blankenship pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Barkley is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Blankenship stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Barkley will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Blankenship has managed to clinch.

Blankenship manages to break the clinch.

Blankenship gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Blankenship scores with a hook to the body.
Blankenship controlling the action here for a moment.
Blankenship lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Blankenship throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

Blankenship's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kenny Blankenship is winning the standup battle so far.

Blankenship gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Blankenship breaks the clinch.
Barkley is looking to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blankenship lands with a kick to the ribs.
Barkley shoots in and drives through. Blankenship sprawls well.

Blankenship closes the distance and clinches.
Blankenship makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Blankenship working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Blankenship throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
A short uppercut from Blankenship.
Blankenship pushes Barkley back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

Blankenship breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Blankenship.

Blankenship pushes Barkley up against the cage in a clinch.

Blankenship breaks the clinch.
Kenny Blankenship is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Blankenship misses with a wild body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barkley with a poor takedown
and Blankenship counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kenny Blankenship has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Benjamin Barkley.
Blankenship closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Blankenship lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Blankenship scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Blankenship is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Barkley can do to turn this around?
Blankenship lands with a right hand.
Blankenship scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Barkley doesn't seem bothered though.

Blankenship darts in and clinches Barkley up against the cage.
Blankenship displaying some good clinch control by pressing Barkley up against the cage.
Barkley tries for a takedown but Blankenship manages to get underhooks.
Barkley pushes off an throws an elbow but Blankenship leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Blankenship wants to break free but Barkley has control.
Blankenship can't break the clinch.

Blankenship breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blankenship takes a swing at Barkley's ribcage but misses.
Blankenship tests Barkley's chin there with a solid looking shot.

Barkley scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Blankenship works his way to full guard. Good work.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Barkley makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Barkley throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Barkley postures up.

Barkley 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.

Barkley 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.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Blankenship looking for a sweep. Not yet Blankenship, not yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenny Blankenship dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. And we move into the final round!

Barkley tries to land a front kick but Blankenship steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Barkley throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Blankenship's waist but Blankenship gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Barkley off to one side.
Blankenship looks to land a combination. Barkley sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

Blankenship closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Barkley tries to contro but end up mounted... ooooh, that's bad.
Blankenship sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Blankenship looking to control but Barkley is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Barkley bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Blankenship manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Barkley manages to get himself to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barkley throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Blankenship trying to control the position from guard on top but Barkley is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Blankenship throwing strikes but missing.

Blankenship got a little sloppy there for a moment and Barkley has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Blankenship has managed to get both his arms back between Barkley's legs - danger averted.
Blankenship has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Blankenship pushing down on Barkley's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Blankenship wants to stand up but Barkley has a hold of him and won't allow it.
The fighters are battling for position here. Barkley manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Blankenship stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Barkley swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Barkley escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Blankenship gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barkley keeping full guard, as Blankenship tries to pass.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Blankenship trying to stand up but can't free himself from Barkley's guard.
Kenny Blankenship overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Barkley lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Blankenship!
Blankenship is trying desperately to improve position.
Blankenship is working hard here to advance position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Barkley lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Blankenship hang on?

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Barkley working for a submission but Blankenship is keeping him at bay.
Blankenship tries to lock up and control but Barkley gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Barkley tries to control but Blankenship wriggling away.
Barkley breaks from Blankenship's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Blankenship tries to hold on but Barkley pushes him away.
Benjamin Barkley has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Blankenship is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Blankenship can't escape the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Blankenship is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Blankenship is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

Barkley working for a guillotine from mount but Blankenship is in no mood to give up.
Blankenship squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Blankenship trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

Barkley wants to finish this one by submission but Blankenship is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Barkley.

Barkley jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Blankenship is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Blankenship and Barkley has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Kenny Blankenship is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Blankenship sneaks back into half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Benjamin Barkley.
I think Blankenship 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 Emerson Jorge scores the fight for Kenny Blankenship!
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight for Kenny Blankenship!
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight for Kenny Blankenship!

Kenny Blankenship wins by unanimous decision!