PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Tajhon Blahs (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Henrique Cardoso (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cardoso has chosen Stemm - Face the pain as his entrance music. Henrique Cardoso struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 157.2lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Henrique Cardoso acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Blahs
vs
Cardoso

170 cm
26
162 lbs
12 - 9 - 0

172 cm
25
170 lbs
3 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Tajhon Blahs!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Henrique Cardoso!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Mauricio Rocha and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cardoso shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Blahs as he avoids it easily.

Blahs closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Blahs lands in his opponent's guard.
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.
Cardoso being controlled here, momentarily.
Blahs forces his way into half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Cardoso tries to roll over but Blahs keeps him under control.
Cardoso is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Cardoso wants to get back to his feet.
Blahs seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's one minute gone in the round.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

Tajhon Blahs has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Blahs scores with a jab to the body.
Blahs scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Cardoso looks gassed!

Blahs gets a takedown into half guard.

Blahs postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Cardoso to stand up.

Blahs shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Cardoso's guard.
Cardoso tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Blahs passes Cardoso's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Well, if Blahs is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blahs working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Blahs slips a nice elbow through Cardoso's hands, connecting with Cardoso's forehead.
Blahs with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Cardoso is trying to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Blahs looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Tajhon Blahs wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Cardoso with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Blahs to score with a decent uppercut.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Blahs, right into the meat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blahs with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Nice uppercut there from Blahs.
Blahs connects with a single shot there.
Blahs throws out a powerful jab.

Blahs clinches up against the cage.
Cardoso working aggressively here.
Blahs blocks an uppercut.
Blahs pushes Cardoso back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Blahs lands with a light punch inside.
Blahs lands a left hand that snaps the head of Cardoso backwards.
Blahs displaying some good clinch control by pressing Cardoso up against the cage.
Cardoso jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Blahs walks away with a smile on his face. Cardoso gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Blahs lands a jab to the head.
Good exchange - Blahs coming out on top.
Cardoso takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

Blahs moves into the clinch successfully.
Still in the clinch, Blahs scores with a nice short uppercut.
Cardoso's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Blahs.
Blahs is stalling here.
Blahs digs a right hand underneath Cardoso's ribcage. Cardoso let out a lung full of air as it connected.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blahs presses Cardoso against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Blahs lands a left hand.
A short right from Blahs.
Blahs digs a right hand into Cardoso's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Cardoso's gas tank.
Blahs displaying some good clinch control by pressing Cardoso up against the cage.
Cardoso misses with a punch on the inside.
A left hand lands to the body for Blahs.
Blahs softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A short right from Blahs on the inside.
Blahs cracks Cardoso with a nice body shot.
Blahs slowing the pace effectively.
Cardoso is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

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

Blahs throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Cardoso was covering up waiting for the punch and Blahs finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Blahs is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Blahs scoring with punches to the head and body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tajhon Blahs dominated that 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.

Cardoso tries for a takedown but Blahs circles away easily
and Blahs counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Cardoso misses with a takedown

and Blahs counters with a nice double leg into side control. Cardoso won't be happy with that.
Blahs controlling the position.
Cardoso is looking to regain half guard here but Blahs keeps moving and retains side control.
Blahs controlling from side mount.
Blahs has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Cardoso!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Cardoso keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Blahs is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Cardoso can do to turn this around?
Blahs tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blahs seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Cardoso for as long as he can get away with.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Tajhon Blahs just wasn't active enough.
Cardoso tries for a takedown but Blahs circles away easily
and Cardoso takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Tajhon Blahs has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Henrique Cardoso.

Blahs is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Cardoso's half guard.
Blahs with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Tajhon Blahs wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Blahs pushes Cardoso away with a front kick.
Cardoso shoots and misses
and Blahs counters with a nice uppercut.
Cardoso takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

Blahs takes the fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blahs lands a nice knee to the body.

Blahs is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Cardoso can't fight it off and eventually Blahs manages to take the fight to the floor. Cardoso looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Cardoso wants to sweep here but Blahs controlling him for the moment.
Blahs is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Blahs looking to pass the guard.
Cardoso looking to hit a scissor sweep but Blahs is one step ahead there.
Cardoso can't keep his opponent in guard - Blahs advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cardoso is trying to maintain the position but Blahs is very close to passing his half guard.
Cardoso is trying to get back to full guard.
Tajhon Blahs overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Blahs is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Blahs lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

Blahs moves into the clinch.
Nice body punch from Blahs - that landed with a thud.
Cardoso tries to score a body lock takedown but Blahs shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Blahs lands a hook that snaps the head of Cardoso backwards.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Blahs lands a nice shot to the body.
A bit of stalling here from Blahs.
Blahs gets a warning from the ref for wasting time.

Blahs pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Blahs lands a head shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tajhon Blahs dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Cardoso shoots and misses
and Blahs counters with a nice uppercut.
Blahs 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.

Blahs closes the distance and clinches.
A hook to the body from Blahs.
Blahs lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Cardoso.
Blahs avoiding damage.
Blahs stops a takedown attempt from Cardoso.
Blahs lands a body punch.
Cardoso tries a body shot but Blahs blocks it.
Blahs scores with a nice hook to the head.
Nice body punch from Blahs - that landed with a thud.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Blahs.
Cardoso tries for a takedown but Blahs manages to get underhooks.
Tajhon Blahs has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Henrique Cardoso.
Blahs scores with a shot to the side of Cardoso's head.

Blahs breaks the clinch.
Blahs scores with a hook.
Blahs lands a head shot.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cardoso tries for a takedown but Blahs circles away easily
and Blahs counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Blahs lands a high kick!
A right-left combo lands from Blahs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab lands there for Blahs.
Blahs ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Cardoso tries for a takedown but Blahs circles away easily
and Blahs counters with a nice leg kick.
Cardoso's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Blahs connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Cardoso scrambles back to his feet.
Cardoso gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Blahs moves into the clinch.
Blahs stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Blahs lands an elbow inside that Cardoso shrugs off.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Cardoso misses with a punch on the inside.
Cardoso is trying to drag Blahs to the mat but Blahs just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Blahs works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Cardoso wants to sweep here but Blahs controlling him for the moment.
Blahs stands and throws Cardoso's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blahs remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Blahs's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Cardoso tries to improve position but can't.
Blahs is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Cardoso's shoulder. That is not cool.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Blahs landing strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cardoso sneaks back into half guard.
Blahs content to control rather than advance.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Tajhon Blahs just wasn't active enough.

Blahs closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Cardoso quickly recovers to half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Blahs in particular looking to stall.
Cardoso is trying to get back to full guard.
Blahs controlling the action here.
Cardoso is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Blahs trying to control the pace.
Blahs lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Tajhon Blahs is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Blahs content to control rather than advance.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Tajhon Blahs just wasn't active enough.

Blahs shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Blahs showed some decent athleticism there.
Henrique Cardoso has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Blahs is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tajhon Blahs showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Blahs has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 30:24
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 30:25
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 30:24

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tajhon Blahs!