PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Hildebrand Gardiner Wright Blackwood (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yama Mama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Gardiner Wright Blackwood might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to The Land of Make Believe. Mama is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: What's Up People by Maximum The Hormone. 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.

Gardiner Wright Blackwood
vs
Mama

190 cm
26
220 lbs
12 - 9 - 0

195 cm
30
220 lbs
14 - 11 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

TWGC Champion
World class MT
Good gas tank

BeastMode

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Hildebrand Gardiner Wright Blackwood!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Yama Mama!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Gwen Towbar and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gardiner Wright Blackwood throws a lazy right hand but Mama sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Gardiner Wright Blackwood rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Mama moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Gardiner Wright Blackwood lands an overhand right.
Gardiner Wright Blackwood throws a lazy right hand but Mama sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Gardiner Wright Blackwood fails in his attempt to clinch.

Mama closes the distance and clinches.
Gardiner Wright Blackwood fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Mama fails to land.
A nice right hand lands inside from Gardiner Wright Blackwood.
Mama misses with a hook from the clinch.
Mama is trying to drag Gardiner Wright Blackwood to the mat but Gardiner Wright Blackwood just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Gardiner Wright Blackwood misses with some punches.
Gardiner Wright Blackwood jumps guard but Mama stands there with Gardiner Wright Blackwood around his waist. Gardiner Wright Blackwood gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Mama misses with some punches.
Mama blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Mama has a couple of punches blocked by Gardiner Wright Blackwood.

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

Gardiner Wright Blackwood drops Mama with a right and a left! Gardiner Wright Blackwood comes rushing in but Mama regains his composure and manages to keep Gardiner Wright Blackwood in guard.

It looks like Yama Mama has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mama has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Gardiner Wright Blackwood can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Mama is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Gardiner Wright Blackwood defends well.

Mama is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Gardiner Wright Blackwood is aware though and is defending well.
Gardiner Wright Blackwood trying to control but Mama is working from the bottom.
Mama keeping full guard, as Gardiner Wright Blackwood tries to pass.
Gardiner Wright Blackwood content to stall in guard here.
Gardiner Wright Blackwood passes Mama's left leg - he's now in half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gardiner Wright Blackwood tries to pass to full mount but Mama defends it.

Gardiner Wright Blackwood is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Mama is just riding it out for now. Gardiner Wright Blackwood eventually gives up the hold.
Gardiner Wright Blackwood tries to pass to full mount but Mama defends it.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Mama makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Mama.
Gardiner Wright Blackwood wants to control from the top but Mama keeps moving.

Mama working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Gardiner Wright Blackwood doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Gardiner Wright Blackwood manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Mama is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gardiner Wright Blackwood avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Gardiner Wright Blackwood trying to control the position from guard on top but Mama is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Mama is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Gardiner Wright Blackwood is aware though and is defending well.

Mama has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Gardiner Wright Blackwood can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Gardiner Wright Blackwood drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Gardiner Wright Blackwood jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Mama is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Gardiner Wright Blackwood defends well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gardiner Wright Blackwood preventing the sweep.

Mama looking for subs off his back but Gardiner Wright Blackwood has passed one foot through into half guard.
Mama is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Gardiner Wright Blackwood's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Gardiner Wright Blackwood's back!

Mama looking for the RNC.
Gardiner Wright Blackwood tries to break free.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gardiner Wright Blackwood wants to control his opponent's hands but Mama gets his hands free.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hildebrand Gardiner Wright Blackwood dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Yama Mama's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Mama lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Gardiner Wright Blackwood circles away quickly and effectively.
Gardiner Wright Blackwood cracks a nice hook into Mama's ribs.
Gardiner Wright Blackwood looks to throw the jab but Mama is out of range.
Gardiner Wright Blackwood misses with a hook
and Mama connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Hildebrand Gardiner Wright Blackwood seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mama scoring well with a low kick there.
Mama moves out of range of the strikes.
Mama moves in looking to clinch but Gardiner Wright Blackwood pushes him off.
Yama Mama is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mama has a takedown stuffed.
Gardiner Wright Blackwood doesn't manage to clinch there - Mama circles away.

Mama drives through with a takedown into Gardiner Wright Blackwood's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Gardiner Wright Blackwood trying to control the position.
Gardiner Wright Blackwood trying to control the position here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gardiner Wright Blackwood wants to sweep here but Mama controlling him for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mama drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Gardiner Wright Blackwood dives on top into guard.

Mama has his foot on Gardiner Wright Blackwood's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Gardiner Wright Blackwood works his way back into a safe position though.
Gardiner Wright Blackwood wants to control from the top but Mama keeps moving.

Mama isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Gardiner Wright Blackwood stacks Mama on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Gardiner Wright Blackwood!
Mama tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Gardiner Wright Blackwood wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gardiner Wright Blackwood working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Mama tries to bench press Gardiner Wright Blackwood off him but Gardiner Wright Blackwood keeps the position.
Mama manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Gardiner Wright Blackwood slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Gardiner Wright Blackwood not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Gardiner Wright Blackwood looking for a sweep. Not yet Gardiner Wright Blackwood, not yet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gardiner Wright Blackwood is pulling down on Mama's head to control his posture.
Gardiner Wright Blackwood looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Mama puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mama is trying to work for a kimura but Gardiner Wright Blackwood is defending well.
Gardiner Wright Blackwood wants to control but Mama passes into side.

Mama is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Gardiner Wright Blackwood knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Mama wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Gardiner Wright Blackwood, who protects the arm well.
Gardiner Wright Blackwood manages to work his way to half guard, despite Mama's best efforts.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mama is working for a kimura but Gardiner Wright Blackwood is defending it quite comfortably.

Mama seems to be working for a kimura but Gardiner Wright Blackwood defends the submission attempt.
Yama Mama has got the better of the ground game so far.
Gardiner Wright Blackwood is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Mama's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Mama's back!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Gardiner Wright Blackwood is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Mama is really stuck here.
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 Hildebrand Gardiner Wright Blackwood will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Yama Mama's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Gardiner Wright Blackwood lands a jab.
Gardiner Wright Blackwood jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Gardiner Wright Blackwood throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Gardiner Wright Blackwood tries to clinch there but Mama circles away.
Gardiner Wright Blackwood misses with the combination.
Mama showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gardiner Wright Blackwood.
Mama tries to clinch up.
Mama throws a leg kick which misses Gardiner Wright Blackwood's front leg but catches the back leg as Gardiner Wright Blackwood tries to avoid it.
Gardiner Wright Blackwood is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

Mama gets the takedown into side control.

Mama tries for a kimura but Gardiner Wright Blackwood is defending well.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gardiner Wright Blackwood manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mama wants to pass to mount but Gardiner Wright Blackwood is defending the position.
Gardiner Wright Blackwood is looking to control Mama's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Gardiner Wright Blackwood avoid being mounted?
Gardiner Wright Blackwood controlling the position for now.
Mama is thwarting Gardiner Wright Blackwood's attempts to control the position.

Mama seems to be looking for submissions.
Yama Mama has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gardiner Wright Blackwood is pressing down on Mama's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Mama pushing down on Gardiner Wright Blackwood's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Gardiner Wright Blackwood has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Mama is working away from the top position though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mama is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Gardiner Wright Blackwood reverses the position - he's now on top in Mama's guard.

Mama is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! Gardiner Wright Blackwood rolls with it to try and escape but Mama cranks on the arm and Gardiner Wright Blackwood is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:51 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Yama Mama!
Yama Mama seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.