PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Frito Lei (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Blake Blankenship (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Lei
vs
Blankenship

170 cm
33
170 lbs
20 - 63 - 3

175 cm
22
160 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite 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 20 - 63 - 3, fighting out of Los Angeles, Frito Lei!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Blake Blankenship!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lei keeps the fight on the outside.
Blankenship lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Lei backs up against the cage.
Lei fails in his attempt to clinch.
Blankenship throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Blankenship misses with a leg kick.
Blankenship lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Lei is looking to clinch but Blankenship is avoiding it.
Blankenship tries to clinch up.
Blankenship fails with a takedown attempt.
Lei throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Lei has managed to clinch.
Lei prevents Blankenship from breaking the clinch.

Lei breaks from the clinch.
Lei blocks a head kick by Blankenship.
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 shoots in and drives through. Lei sprawls well.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Lei checks a leg kick.
Lei misses with a head kick.
Blankenship swats away the attempt to clinch by Lei.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lei avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Lei takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Lei dodges the punch combination from Blankenship.
Blankenship has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

It looks like Blake Blankenship has been cut.

Blankenship gets tackled into the cage by Lei. Lei maintains the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Lei as Blankenship tries to tie him up.
Blankenship avoids the elbow strike from Lei, against the cage.
Lei goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Blankenship wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Lei has him pressed against the cage.

Lei manages to break the clinch.
Lei dodges the punch combination from Blankenship.
Lei tries to clinch up.
Frito Lei seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blankenship moves to clinch but Lei breaks away

and Lei moves into the clinch.
Blankenship working hard to break the clinch.
Blankenship is trying to break free.
Blankenship wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Lei has him pressed against the cage.
Lei working Blankenship over with knees to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Blankenship.
Lei with a knee to the head.

Lei breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Blankenship looks to land a combination. Lei sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Blankenship misses with a body kick.
Lei lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Blankenship keeps the fight on the outside.
Blankenship takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Lei throws a head kick that misses.
Blankenship throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Blankenship.
Lei swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Blankenship counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

Lei moves into the clinch.
Lei lands a knee to the head.

Lei breaks the clinch.

Lei has Blankenship up against the cage in a clinch.
Lei is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

Lei breaks from the clinch.
Blankenship dives in and grabs Lei's left leg, looking for a takedown. Lei pushes down on Blankenship's head and hops out.
Frito Lei has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Blake Blankenship.
No joy there for Lei, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Blankenship.

Blankenship bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Blankenship looks winded!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blankenship prevents Lei from escaping the position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Lei explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Frito Lei is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Lei has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Lei moves out of range of the body kick from Blankenship.
Blankenship misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Blankenship misses with a series of wild punches.
Blankenship shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Lei as he jumps to the side.

Lei has managed to clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Lei tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Blankenship is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Lei tries a knee to the head but Blankenship blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frito Lei dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Blake Blankenship's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Lei tries to clinch there but Blankenship circles away.
Lei throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Blankenship.
Blankenship keeps the fight on the outside.
Blankenship shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Lei defends it nicely.
Lei fails in his attempt to clinch.
Blankenship throws a one two combo.
A chopping leg kick lands by Lei.
Frito Lei is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Blankenship doesn't manage to clinch there - Lei circles away.
Blankenship avoids a kick to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nice body kick there by Lei.
Blankenship circles away from the clinch attempt.
No luck for Blankenship with that takedown attempt.
Lei fails in his attempt to clinch.
Lei slaps away a takedown attempt from Blankenship, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Frito Lei has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Blake Blankenship.
Lei misses with a few strikes there.
Blankenship is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blankenship throws a nice looking combination but Lei bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Lei moves into the clinch.

Lei breaks the clinch.
Lei tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Blankenship manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Lei moves into the clinch.
Blankenship blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A frustrated look appears on Blankenship's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Blankenship avoiding damage as Lei throws knees to the body.
Blankenship can't break the clinch.
Lei prevents Blankenship from breaking the clinch.
Blankenship blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Lei breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Lei lands with a slapping head kick.

Lei moves into the clinch.

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 can't break the clinch.
Come on Lei - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
A frustrated look appears on Blankenship's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Blankenship looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Lei tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Blankenship avoids it.
Blankenship is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Lei is keeping busy.
Lei misses with a knee to the head.
Blankenship tries to break the clinch but Lei is controlling the position.
Lei prevents Blankenship from breaking the clinch.
Blankenship wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lei creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Blankenship has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Lei breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Lei lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Blankenship circles away quickly and effectively.

Lei closes the distance and clinches.
Blankenship looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Lei breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Blankenship circles away from the clinch attempt.
Blankenship shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Lei as he avoids it easily.
Blankenship shoots for a takedown but Lei saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Lei doesn't manage to clinch there - Blankenship circles away.
Lei stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Lei wants it to stay on the feet.
Blankenship looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
No joy there for Blankenship, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Blankenship fails with a takedown attempt.
Blankenship shoots in looking for a takedown. Lei tries to sprawl out of it but Blankenship keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Lei manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Lei has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lei lands a big head kick that sends Blankenship tumbling to the mat! Lei takes a step backwards and waves Blankenship back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Blankenship is rocked!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Lei darts in and clinches Blankenship up against the cage.
Blankenship is still on wobbly legs! Can Lei finish him?

Lei breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A combination from Lei does no damage.

Lei clinches up against the cage.

Lei escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Blankenship seems to have recovered his senses.
A slapping body kick lands there for Lei.
Blankenship swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Lei tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Blankenship was well out of range. Poor timing from Lei.
Lei lands a leg kick that knocks Blankenship off balance momentarily.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Lei throws a sloppy head kick and Blankenship moves out of range easily.
Lei misses with a straight left.
Lei tries to clinch but Blankenship moves out of range.
Lei tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Blankenship manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frito Lei dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Blake Blankenship's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Lei rushes Blankenship and presses him up against the cage.
Blankenship misses with a hook to the ribs.

Lei breaks from the clinch.
Blankenship looks to score with a jab to the body but Lei is just out of range.
Blankenship avoids the head kick by Lei.
Lei wants to clinch.
Lei fails with an attempt to clinch.

Lei lands a big head kick that sends Blankenship tumbling to the mat! Lei takes a step backwards and waves Blankenship back to his feet - he wants the finish!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Blankenship misses with a low kick.
No luck for Blankenship with that takedown attempt.

Lei drives through and clinches with Blankenship against the cage.
Blankenship has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
A frustrated look appears on Blankenship's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blankenship looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Lei breaks from the clinch.
Blankenship swats away the attempt to clinch by Lei.
Frito Lei is winning the standup battle so far.
Blankenship doesn't manage to clinch there - Lei circles away.
Blankenship shoots in looking for a takedown but Lei manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Blankenship's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Blankenship takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Lei tries to clinch there but Blankenship circles away.

Lei pushes Blankenship up against the cage in a clinch.
Lei stalling the fight.

Lei breaks the clinch.
Lei fails with an attempt to clinch.
Blankenship throws a right and a left that Lei avoids nicely.
Lei throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Blankenship.
Lei throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Blankenship.
Blankenship throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blankenship shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Lei as he avoids it easily.
Frito Lei has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Blake Blankenship.
Blankenship avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Lei ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Blankenship moves away.
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!
Lei throws the kick towards the body but Blankenship avoids it.
Blankenship throws a head kick but Lei moves out of range.
Lei fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Blankenship looks for a takedown but Lei sprawls well.
A combination from Lei does no damage.
Blankenship moves in looking to clinch but Lei pushes him off.
Lei connects with an inside leg kick.
Lei wants to clinch.

Lei lands a big head kick that sends Blankenship tumbling to the mat! Lei takes a step backwards and waves Blankenship back to his feet - he wants the finish!
Blankenship tries to clinch up.
Lei throws an overhand right that has Blankenship reeling! Lei follows up with more punches and Blankenship is out cold! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:05 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Frito Lei!