PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Derrick Rankinstein (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mamath Blah (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Rankinstein
vs
Blah

169 cm
21
142 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

183 cm
23
147 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Balco Boys - Hilo
Balco Boys - Hilo

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Derrick Rankinstein!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Mamath Blah!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Konstantin Menshow and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rankinstein walks into a left hand.
Rankinstein uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Blah.
Rankinstein will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Rankinstein misses with a body shot.

Rankinstein gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Blah struggles to land a body shot inside as Rankinstein controls his hands.
Blah is trying to force a seperation but Rankinstein has the dominant position.
Rankinstein unloads a knee to the mid-section. Blah lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Nice elbow from Rankinstein.

It looks like Mamath Blah has been cut.
Rankinstein landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Rankinstein lands with a light punch inside.
A frustrated look appears on Blah's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Blah looking to slow down the pace here.
Rankinstein with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Rankinstein holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Blah wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Rankinstein has him pressed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rankinstein stalling against the cage.
Blah on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Rankinstein trying to land knees to the body.
Rankinstein looking to throw knees to the head but Blah is blocking nicely.
A knee to the head by Rankinstein.
Blah is trying to break the clinch but Rankinstein is controlling him.
Blah on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Blah misses with a hook to the ribs.
Rankinstein lands a nice knee to the body.
Rankinstein missing with knees to the body.
Blah avoiding damage as Rankinstein throws knees to the body.
Rankinstein trying to land knees to the body.
Rankinstein looking to slow down the pace here.
Blah managing to block the knees to the body from Rankinstein.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blah wants to break free but Rankinstein has control.
Blah looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Rankinstein tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Blah is trying to push Rankinstein away but Rankinstein has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Blah wants to break the clinch but can't.
A frustrated look appears on Blah's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Blah is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Rankinstein tries to land a knee to the head but Blah blocks with his arms.
Blah cracks Rankinstein with a nice body shot.
Blah is trying to break the clinch but Rankinstein has him pressed against the cage.
Blah is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Blah wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Rankinstein working Blah over with knees to the body.
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!
Rankinstein lands a good knee to the midsection. Blah won't want to take too many of those.
Rankinstein trying to control the position but instead, Blah has worked for underhooks and has pushed Rankinstein into the cage.
Rankinstein throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rankinstein blocks an uppercut.
Rankinstein tries to land knees in the clinch but Blah avoids the damage to the body.
A frustrated look appears on Blah's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Nice elbow from Rankinstein.
Rankinstein has Blah pressed against the cage, preventing Blah from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Rankinstein using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Blah has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Rankinstein using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Blah has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Rankinstein tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Blah is trying to maintain a safe position but Rankinstein gets an underhook and turns Blah into the cage.
Rankinstein utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Rankinstein slowing the pace effectively.
Rankinstein lands an elbow inside.

Blah pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Rankinstein uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Blah.
Rankinstein wants to clinch up but Blah keeps it at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A chopping leg kick lands by Rankinstein.
Rankinstein scores with a punch to the head.
Rankinstein fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Blah just misses with a punch to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Blah. Rankinstein does a little dance to reset his feet.
Rankinstein moves out of range of the strikes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rankinstein looks for a takedown but Blah sprawls well.
Rankinstein walks into a jab.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Blah's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Rankinstein connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Blah scrambles back to his feet.
Rankinstein throws a leg kick that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Derrick Rankinstein dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mamath Blah's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Rankinstein misses with a leg kick.
Blah ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Rankinstein throws a nice looking combination but Blah bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Rankinstein misses with a kick to the body.
Rankinstein throws a series of punches but Blah avoids them all with ease.
Blah attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Rankinstein gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Blah thows a body shot but no joy.
Blah misses with a looping left.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Rankinstein, as that shot connected.
Blah lands a nice hook to Rankinstein's body. Rankinstein takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Rankinstein doesn't manage to clinch there - Blah circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rankinstein throws a series of punches but Blah moves out of range.
Derrick Rankinstein seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Blah lands with a shot to the body.
Blah on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Rankinstein. Rankinstein obviously looking to wear him down.
Rankinstein connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Blah on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Blah swats away the attempt to clinch by Rankinstein.
Blah is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Rankinstein rather than just go for the knockout.
Rankinstein misses with a hook
and Blah counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Rankinstein throws a hook but Blah avoids it easily.
Rankinstein tests Blah's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Rankinstein throws a looping overhand right but Blah ducks down to avoid it.
Blah slips a jab from Rankinstein.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rankinstein tries for a takedown but Blah sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
A lazy left from Blah finds it's target.
Blah thows a body shot but no joy.
Rankinstein on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Rankinstein is looking to clinch.
Blah avoids the head kick by Rankinstein.
Blah has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Rankinstein throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
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!
Blah gets cracked there but stands up to it.
A slow jab from Blah misses its intended target.
Rankinstein blocks a jab.
The fighters circling - Blah throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rankinstein loads up on a big right hand but Blah slips the punch.
Blah throws a low kick but Rankinstein avoids it.
Blah moves out of range of the body kick from Rankinstein.
Blah misses with a looping left.

Rankinstein shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Blah's guard.
Rankinstein pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Blah is keeping the position for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Blah is on top in guard.
Blah is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Rankinstein is trying to control the position but Blah postures up.
Blah tries to free his leg and advance position but Rankinstein is retaining full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blah trying to control but Rankinstein is working from the bottom.
Rankinstein has control of Blah's left arm, preventing Blah from doing any damage.
Blah looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

We're going to have a standup here because Derrick Rankinstein wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Blah fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Rankinstein is out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rankinstein displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Blah throws out the jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rankinstein misses the shot to the body.
Rankinstein shoots in looking for a takedown. Blah tries to sprawl out of it but Rankinstein keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Blah manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Derrick Rankinstein will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Mamath Blah's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Rankinstein avoids the body shot from Blah.
Blah with a nice cross.
Blah throws out a loose jab but Rankinstein uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rankinstein wants to clinch.
Blah throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Rankinstein counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Rankinstein throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Rankinstein swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Derrick Rankinstein is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rankinstein fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Blah looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Rankinstein showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Blah.
Blah throws a left and a right that both miss
and Rankinstein cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blah misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rankinstein.
Blah pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Rankinstein throws a wild body kick that Blah sees coming a mile off.
Rankinstein lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Rankinstein thows a left - swing and a miss!
Blah throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Blah connects with a crisp jab.

Rankinstein has taken the fight to the clinch.
Blah swings wildly with an uppercut but Rankinstein uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rankinstein pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Blah avoids a wild elbow strike from Rankinstein.
Rankinstein trying to land knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blah is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Rankinstein is trying to stall.
A short right from Blah.
Rankinstein trying to land knees to the body.
Rankinstein unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Blah tries to break the clinch but Rankinstein is controlling the position.
Rankinstein with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Blah tries to stall but Rankinstein uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Rankinstein landing knees to the head.
Blah takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Rankinstein putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Blah in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Rankinstein lands an elbow that stopped Blah in his tracks for a moment.
Rankinstein is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Rankinstein tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Blah avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Blah.
Rankinstein lands a knee to the body.
Rankinstein keeps control of Blah as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Rankinstein tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Blah avoids it.
Blah avoids the elbow strike from Rankinstein, against the cage.
Rankinstein with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Blah looking to stall.
Rankinstein keeps control of Blah as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Nice elbow from Rankinstein.
Blah misses with a body punch.
Rankinstein with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Blah wants to get back to striking at distance but Rankinstein won't allow it.
Rankinstein blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Rankinstein.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rankinstein creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Blah's defenses.
Rankinstein misses with a knee to the head.
Rankinstein misses with a knee strike.
Rankinstein lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Blah is trying to push Rankinstein away but Rankinstein has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Rankinstein displaying some good clinch control by pressing Blah up against the cage.
Rankinstein tries to land knees in the clinch but Blah avoids the damage to the body.
Mamath Blah has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Blah is trying to break the clinch but Rankinstein has him pressed against the cage.
Rankinstein misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Blah.
Rankinstein landing knees to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Blah scores with a shoulder strike.

And that's the end of the fight!
Derrick Rankinstein showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Rankinstein, 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 30:27
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Derrick Rankinstein!
Post fight, Derrick Rankinstein stared into the camera and said 'They call me David Derrick Rankin!!!'.