PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between James Blunt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nefertum IMHOTEP (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Blunt
vs
IMHOTEP

195 cm
25
250 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

210 cm
25
280 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, James Blunt!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Nefertum IMHOTEP!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Skip Squint and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

IMHOTEP closes the distance and pushes Blunt back into the cage.
IMHOTEP tries to land a knee to the head but Blunt blocks with his arms.
IMHOTEP is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Blunt jumps guard but IMHOTEP stands there with Blunt around his waist. Blunt gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
IMHOTEP tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Blunt smiles and moves away.
IMHOTEP pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Blunt looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

IMHOTEP clinches up with Blunt and pushes him back against the cage.
Blunt on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
IMHOTEP tries to break free but Blunt pushes him back against the cage.
Blunt dodges an elbow strike from IMHOTEP.
Blunt tries to score a body lock takedown but IMHOTEP shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

Blunt's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Blunt shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as IMHOTEP sprawls well. IMHOTEP wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Blunt gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James Blunt. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Blunt fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Blunt shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Blunt trying to control the action but IMHOTEP is working from the bottom.

IMHOTEP pushes Blunt off and gets back to his feet.
Blunt circles away from the clinch attempt.

IMHOTEP pushes Blunt up against the cage in a clinch.
IMHOTEP drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Blunt gets the underhooks and prevents it.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Blunt fails to pull guard.

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

Blunt closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming IMHOTEP to the mat! IMHOTEP manages to get full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
IMHOTEP working a defensive guard here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
IMHOTEP wants to stand and escape but Blunt is having none of it.
Blunt is looking to work some ground and pound but IMHOTEP has wrist control.

IMHOTEP looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Blunt trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Blunt wants to stand and escape but instead IMHOTEP has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
IMHOTEP is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Blunt shoots for a takedown but IMHOTEP saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Blunt is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blunt throws a sloppy head kick

and IMHOTEP counters by clinching up.
IMHOTEP is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
IMHOTEP pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

IMHOTEP breaks from the clinch.
IMHOTEP is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Blunt is looking to clinch but IMHOTEP is avoiding it.
IMHOTEP tries to clinch but Blunt moves out of range.
IMHOTEP on the wrong end of a nice jab.
IMHOTEP with a poor takedown

so Blunt counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Blunt scoring with some ground and pound.

IMHOTEP uses the cage to get back to his feet.

IMHOTEP closes the distance and clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
IMHOTEP scores with a shoulder strike.
Blunt drops down looking for an ankle pick but IMHOTEP pulls his leg out and moves away.

IMHOTEP clinches.
Blunt wants a takedown but no success here.
Blunt drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
IMHOTEP tries a knee to the head but Blunt blocks it.
IMHOTEP tries to circle away but Blunt has him pinned against the cage.
IMHOTEP using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Blunt has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
IMHOTEP wants to break the clinch but can't.
IMHOTEP lands a knee to the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
IMHOTEP has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Blunt avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
IMHOTEP is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Blunt gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Blunt lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

Blunt breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that James Blunt will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Blunt circles away from the clinch attempt
and Blunt counters with a head kick.

Blunt pushes IMHOTEP up against the cage in a clinch.
Blunt has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
IMHOTEP trying to stall but Blunt improves his position.
IMHOTEP tries to land a knee to the head but Blunt blocks with his arms.
Blunt tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. IMHOTEP just stands there and leans against the cage.
Blunt tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. IMHOTEP smiles and moves away.
IMHOTEP throws a lazy head kick

and Blunt counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
IMHOTEP is trying to maintain the position but Blunt is very close to passing his half guard.
IMHOTEP tries to roll over but Blunt keeps him under control.
IMHOTEP is trying to stand up here but Blunt is controlling him well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Blunt looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
IMHOTEP punching from the bottom.
IMHOTEP is trying to stand up here but Blunt is controlling him well.
IMHOTEP is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Blunt is nestled in close to IMHOTEP, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
IMHOTEP tries to clinch but Blunt is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

IMHOTEP has taken the fight to the clinch.
IMHOTEP looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Blunt blocks an elbow strike from IMHOTEP.
Blunt lands an elbow just above IMHOTEP 's eye.

Blunt is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. IMHOTEP can't fight it off and eventually Blunt manages to take the fight to the floor. IMHOTEP looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
IMHOTEP avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
IMHOTEP lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Blunt!
IMHOTEP looking to control but Blunt is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
IMHOTEP throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Blunt because IMHOTEP loaded up on that one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
IMHOTEP throwing strikes here but Blunt is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
IMHOTEP controlling from the full mount.
IMHOTEP unloads with some shots from mount but Blunt bucks and avoids them well.
Blunt avoids a series of strikes thrown by IMHOTEP.
Blunt is in all sorts of trouble here.
Blunt knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for IMHOTEP on the ground.
IMHOTEP thowing shots but they're missing.
IMHOTEP throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Blunt avoids a series of strikes thrown by IMHOTEP.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
IMHOTEP wants to control but instead Blunt manages to regain half guard.
IMHOTEP tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Blunt.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
IMHOTEP is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
IMHOTEP throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
James Blunt is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
IMHOTEP shoots in for a takedown but Blunt shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Blunt pushes IMHOTEP up against the cage in a clinch.
Blunt goes for a takedown in the clinch but IMHOTEP prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James Blunt. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Blunt tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. IMHOTEP smiles and moves away.
IMHOTEP circles away from the clinch attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Blunt dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

IMHOTEP chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Blunt can pounce on him.
Blunt is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

IMHOTEP gets in close and instigates a clinch.
The referee calls for IMHOTEP to work.
Blunt goes for a takedown in the clinch but IMHOTEP prevents it.
Blunt tries to pull guard but IMHOTEP won't allow it.
Blunt tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. IMHOTEP smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James Blunt. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Blunt fails with a takedown attempt.
IMHOTEP closes the distance looking to clinch
and Blunt counters with an outside leg kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
IMHOTEP blocks a head kick by Blunt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

IMHOTEP gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Blunt jumps guard and drags IMHOTEP to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

IMHOTEP stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Blunt wants to clinch but IMHOTEP slips to the side

and IMHOTEP holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Blunt avoiding damage as IMHOTEP throws knees to the body.

IMHOTEP has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Blunt uses from the top position.
IMHOTEP controlling Blunt's posture.
IMHOTEP manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Blunt is squirming around, avoiding IMHOTEP's attempts to control the action.
IMHOTEP prevents Blunt from getting the reversal.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
IMHOTEP sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
IMHOTEP putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Blunt here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
IMHOTEP trying to control but Blunt is having none of it.
IMHOTEP thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
IMHOTEP throws some wild stikes that Blunt manages to avoid easily.
Blunt tries to hold on but IMHOTEP pushes him away.
IMHOTEP connects with a couple of good shots from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
IMHOTEP punching from mount but Blunt doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Blunt holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as IMHOTEP tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Blunt is wriggling around trying to escape.
IMHOTEP tries to control but Blunt wriggling away.
IMHOTEP thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
IMHOTEP throwing strikes here but Blunt is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Blunt wants to hold on but IMHOTEP pushes him away.
IMHOTEP looking to finish with strikes here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
IMHOTEP misses with a head shot.
Blunt avoids a series of strikes thrown by IMHOTEP.
Blunt holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as IMHOTEP tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Blunt is looking to improve his position but IMHOTEP isn't that keen on the idea.
IMHOTEP controlling the pace for now.
Blunt blocking the ground and pound.
Nefertum IMHOTEP has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
James Blunt is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

IMHOTEP jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Blunt manages to avoid the submission attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nefertum IMHOTEP comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Blunt 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 Hugh Johnson scores the fight 29:28
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Blunt!