PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Alex Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Basil Blackstone (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Smith
vs
Blackstone

152 cm
18
130 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
25
135 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Alex Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Basil Blackstone!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Joseph Jones and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Blackstone manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A countering left hand to the body from Blackstone misses.
Blackstone digs a good hook to Smith's body.
Smith falls off balance throwing a combination
and Blackstone counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Smith shoots in for a double leg but Blackstone sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Smith throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Blackstone throws a series of punches but Smith moves out of range.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Blackstone!

Smith gets tackled into the cage by Blackstone. Blackstone maintains the clinch.
Come on Smith - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Blackstone has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Smith avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Smith pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Smith misses with a series of wild punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blackstone circles away from the clinch attempt.
Blackstone dips to his left and cracks Smith with an uppercut!
Smith looks to land a body kick but Blackstone moved away.
Blackstone connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Smith momentarily.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Blackstone enables Smith to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Blackstone manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Smith wanted to stand there but Blackstone had control of the position.
Blackstone really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Smith. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Smith working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Smith wants to control from the top but Blackstone keeps moving.
Blackstone being controlled here, momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Smith gets to his feet - Blackstone follows without any prompting.
Smith swinging wildly here.
Blackstone is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Smith darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Blackstone can do anything to dispel that myth.
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!
Blackstone has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Smith is working away from the top position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blackstone avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Smith.
Smith controlling the action here.
Smith wants to pass to mount but Blackstone is defending the position.
Blackstone is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Smith not landing any meaningful shots this time.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Smith doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Blackstone counters with a three punch combo that has Smith backing up. Smith nods at Blackstone to acknowledge the strikes.
Blackstone tries to clinch but Smith moves out of range.
Blackstone tries to clinch but Smith is having none of it.
Blackstone scores with a body shot.

Smith shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Smith wants to lay and pray for a moment but Blackstone keeps working.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Basil Blackstone will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Blackstone clinches up against the cage.
Smith wants a takedown but no success here.

Smith has Blackstone pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Smith pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Blackstone tumbling to the mat - Smith dives into Blackstone's guard.
Smith looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Blackstone keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Blackstone trying to keep a closed guard but Smith is proving a slippery customer.
Blackstone avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Smith is looking to work some ground and pound but Blackstone has wrist control.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Blackstone is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Blackstone tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Smith paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Alex Smith is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Smith has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Blackstone finds it's way round the side to connect with Smith's head.
A big left from Smith misses.
Alex Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Blackstone. No joy for Smith on that attempt.
Basil Blackstone seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Smith has his takedown stuffed
and Blackstone counters with a lovely straight right hand!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alex Smith. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smith has a takedown stuffed.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Smith moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Blackstone throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

Smith gets tackled into the cage by Blackstone. Blackstone maintains the clinch.
Blackstone lands a shoulder strike.
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!
Blackstone is struggling to control the position.
Blackstone lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Smith backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith wants a takedown but no success here.
Blackstone effectively controlling the action here.
Blackstone wants a takedown.

Blackstone gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Smith regains guard.
Blackstone is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Blackstone throws an elbow that misses. Smith uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Blackstone's guard. Nice move by Smith!

Smith won't allow Blackstone to get back to his feet.
Blackstone controls Smith momentarily but Smith frees himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Blackstone is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Smith tries to free his leg and advance position but Blackstone is retaining full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smith slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Basil Blackstone showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Smith shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Blackstone manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Smith with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Blackstone is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Alex Smith overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Blackstone keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Smith postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith controlling from the top position.
Smith won't allow Blackstone to sweep him here.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Blackstone has Smith up against the cage in a clinch.
Blackstone wants to take the fight to the mat but Smith manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Smith keeps control of Blackstone as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Smith changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Blackstone fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Smith moves in looking to clinch but Blackstone pushes him off.
The crowd cheers as Blackstone lands an impressive looking overhand right. Smith doesn't seem phased though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith doesn't manage to clinch there - Blackstone circles away.
A countering left hand to the body from Blackstone misses.
Smith shoots for a takedown but Blackstone saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Blackstone is looking to clinch.
Blackstone stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Smith shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alex Smith. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Blackstone clinches up with Smith and pushes him back against the cage.
Smith is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Blackstone to keep the fight standing.
Smith avoiding damage as Blackstone throws knees to the body.
Blackstone working hard to break the clinch.
Blackstone has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Smith misses with the head strike.
Smith can't get the takedown.
A short left from Blackstone.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Blackstone pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Blackstone has hold of one of Smith's legs. Smith is fighting the takedown attempt but Blackstone gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Blackstone wants to control from the top but Smith keeps moving.
Smith trying to control the position.
Smith avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Blackstone must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Blackstone trying to control the position from guard on top but Smith is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Blackstone scoring with some ground and pound.
Blackstone wants to control from the top but Smith keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Blackstone is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Smith is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Blackstone.
Blackstone throws a combination. Smith tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Blackstone lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
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!
Smith shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Blackstone defends it nicely.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
Basil Blackstone comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Blackstone winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Dean Styles scores the fight 27:30
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 28:30
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Basil Blackstone!