PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mookie Blaylock (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thiago Tavares (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Blaylock kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Alive. Thiago Tavares has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Blaylock
vs
Tavares

195 cm
28
279 lbs
21 - 6 - 0

190 cm
34
240 lbs
19 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Milwaukee's Best Nutrition

Hellbent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mookie Blaylock!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Thiago Tavares!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Timothy Bukovac and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Some wild striking there from Blaylock.
Blaylock has been working on his boxing with his coaches at The Beast in the buildup to the fight.
Tavares moves away from the strike by Blaylock.
Tavares tests Blaylock's chin there with a solid looking shot.

It looks like Mookie Blaylock has been cut.
Tavares buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
A slow jab from Blaylock misses its intended target.
Blaylock tries a head kick but it misses.
Tavares misses with a lunging right hand
and Blaylock counters with a nice uppercut.
Tavares scores with a push kick.
Tavares throws a quick inside leg kick.
Tavares misses the body punch
and Blaylock counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Tavares slips under a jab from Blaylock.
Tavares steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Blaylock.
Blaylock swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Tavares throws out a loose jab but Blaylock uses good head movement to avoid it.
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!
Tavares looks to score with a jab to the body but Blaylock is just out of range.
Tavares scores with a nice head shot.
Tavares misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tavares will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Tavares throws a nice inside leg kick.
Tavares cracks Blaylock with a right hand to the side of the head.
Tavares cracks Blaylock with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Tavares swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
An inside leg kick lands from Tavares.
Blaylock shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Blaylock connects with an inside leg kick.
Blaylock throws an off balance right hand
letting Tavares counter with a right hand.
Blaylock throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Tavares counters with a nice low kick that buckles Blaylock's knee momentarily.
Tavares moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tavares throws a head kick that misses
and Blaylock counters with a stiff right hand.
Blaylock swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Tavares holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Tavares misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tavares tries a body shot but Blaylock blocks it.
Tavares prevents a body shot from Blaylock.

Tavares escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Tavares throws out a leg kick but Blaylock moves out of range and Tavares only half commits.
Blaylock connects with a single shot there.
Blaylock wants to clinch.
Tavares has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Tavares avoids the head kick by Blaylock.
Blaylock misses with an uppercut.
Tavares buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Blaylock throws a lazy right hand but Tavares sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Tavares throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Blaylock.

Blaylock closes the distance and pushes Tavares back into the cage.
Tavares scores with a hook to the body.
A frustrated look appears on Tavares's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavares misses with a body punch.
Blaylock misses with an elbow over the top.
Tavares lands a shoulder strike.
Tavares blocks an elbow strike.
Tavares tries to throw a body punch but Blaylock avoids it by throwing Tavares back against the cage.
Tavares avoiding damage as Blaylock throws knees to the body.
Tavares stalling in the clinch but Blaylock improves position.
Blaylock misses with some punches.
Blaylock scores with a shot to the side of Tavares's head.
Blaylock lands on the inside with an uppercut.

It looks like Thiago Tavares has been cut.
Blaylock lands with a right to the head.
Blaylock tries to throw a body punch but Tavares avoids it by throwing Blaylock back against the cage.
Tavares wants to break free but Blaylock has control.

Tavares breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blaylock misses with a low kick.
Blaylock looks to land a right hand but Tavares moved out of range.
Tavares drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Tavares throws a leg kick which misses Blaylock's front leg but catches the back leg as Blaylock tries to avoid it.
Tavares avoids the head kick by Blaylock.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Blaylock misses with a leg kick
and Tavares counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Tavares uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Blaylock.
Tavares pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Tavares checks the leg kick nicely there.
It seemed like Tavares was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Blaylock misses with a body kick.
A big right from Blaylock misses.
Tavares misses with a low kick.
Tavares throws a combination. Blaylock tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Blaylock walks into a jab.

Mookie Blaylock's cut is getting worse.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tavares swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Blaylock.
Tavares moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thiago Tavares dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Blaylock's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Blaylock fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tavares manages to avoid it.
Blaylock throws a low kick but it's checked well by Tavares.
Blaylock blocks a head kick by Tavares.
Tavares has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Tavares defending well as Blaylock loads up on a big left hand.
Mookie Blaylock seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tavares displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Blaylock throws out the jab.
Blaylock throws a leg kick that is checked
and Tavares counters with a straight right hand.
A head kick misses from Tavares.
Blaylock throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Tavares's head.

Blaylock clinches up with Tavares and pushes him back against the cage.
Tavares is trying to break the clinch but Blaylock is controlling him.
Tavares doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tavares takes an elbow to the temple.
Blaylock scores with a shoulder strike.
Tavares lands with a short shot to the head.
Tavares lands a body shot in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blaylock working Tavares over with knees to the body.
Blaylock gets through Tavares's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Tavares is breathing heavily.
Blaylock scores with a shoulder strike.
Tavares is trying to push Blaylock away but Blaylock has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Tavares is trying to push Blaylock away but Blaylock has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Blaylock digs a right hand into Tavares's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Tavares's gas tank.
Blaylock lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Blaylock lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Tavares tries a body shot but Blaylock blocks it.
Blaylock lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Tavares backwards.
Blaylock working aggressively here.
Tavares wants to break free but Blaylock has control.
Tavares stalling.
Blaylock is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Blaylock pushes Tavares back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blaylock misses with some punches.

Tavares breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Tavares takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tavares moves forwards but Blaylock connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Tavares throws a leg kick but Blaylock sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Blaylock scores with a spinning back kick!
Tavares misses with an attempted mid kick.
Tavares loads up on a big right hand but Blaylock slips the punch.
Blaylock scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

Tavares is rocked!
Tavares on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Tavares is still on wobbly legs! Can Blaylock finish him?
Tavares defending well as Blaylock loads up on a big left hand.
Tavares lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Tavares seems to have recovered his senses.
Tavares misses with a low kick.
Blaylock slips under a jab from Tavares.
Blaylock is looking to counter punch.

Tavares tries to keep at a distance but Blaylock has taken the fight into the clinch.
Blaylock lands a damaging elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blaylock throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Blaylock has a couple of punches blocked by Tavares.
Blaylock landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Blaylock pushes Tavares back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Blaylock lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Blaylock trying to land knees to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Blaylock.
Blaylock tries a body shot but Tavares blocks it.
Blaylock tries to land a knee to the head but Tavares blocks with his arms.
Tavares dodges an elbow strike from Blaylock.
Tavares tries a body shot but Blaylock blocks it.
A nice right hand lands inside from Blaylock.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tavares blocks an uppercut.
Blaylock has Tavares pressed against the cage, preventing Tavares from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Tavares tries to stall but Blaylock uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Blaylock drops Tavares with a big right hand! Blaylock charges in looking to finish - Tavares manages to keep Blaylock in his guard and seems to have recovered somewhat.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Blaylock sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Tavares keeping moving, preventing Blaylock from controlling successfully.
Tavares wants to stand up but Blaylock is controlling him.
Tavares is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mookie Blaylock dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Tavares throws a leg kick but Blaylock sees it coming and moves out of range.

Blaylock lands a high kick to the side of Tavares's head that stuns him and send him tumbling down to the canvas! Blaylock dives into guard, looking to finish.
Blaylock controlling from the top position.
Blaylock stops Tavares from standing up.
Tavares working a defensive guard but Blaylock manages to pass into side control anyway.
Blaylock controls the position from side control.
Blaylock wants to lay and pray for a moment but Tavares keeps working.
Tavares is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Blaylock is one step ahead and moves to full mount!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blaylock controlling his opponent.
Blaylock working some short elbows here. He postures up to throw some more ground and pound but Tavares slips a leg through to get back to half guard. Nice work.
Blaylock missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Blaylock throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Tavares is not content to let Blaylock control the position.
Blaylock sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Blaylock stops Tavares from getting back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Blaylock missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Blaylock seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Tavares tries to kick Blaylock off but Blaylock keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Blaylock keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Tavares connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Tavares throws an overhand right that lands on Blaylock's shoulder, as Blaylock tries to avoid the shot.
Blaylock throws a push kick but Tavares slaps the foot to one side.
A head kick misses from Tavares.
Blaylock thumps Tavares with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blaylock throws out a loose jab but Tavares uses good head movement to avoid it.
A head kick misses from Tavares.
Tavares misses with a straight left.
A looping hook to the body misses from Tavares. Blaylock does a little dance to reset his feet.
Blaylock with a nice cross.
Blaylock loads up on a big right hand but Tavares slips the punch.
Tavares blocks a leg kick.
Tavares takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Blaylock lands a glancing blow to the side of Tavares's head.
Blaylock throws the left hand but Tavares avoids the punch easily.
Tavares throws a sloppy head kick and Blaylock moves out of range easily.
Blaylock tried to counter with a leg kick but Tavares avoided it.
Tavares takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Tavares throws a series of punches but Blaylock avoids them all with ease.
A slapping leg kick lands for Blaylock.
Tavares moves out of range of the leg kick from Blaylock.
Blaylock lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Blaylock slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Tavares lunges at Blaylock with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Blaylock's hand.
Blaylock throws a looping overhand right but Tavares ducks down to avoid it.
Tavares swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Tavares thuds his right hand into Blaylock's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
A head kick by Blaylock misses
and Tavares counters with a slapping leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Tavares. Blaylock does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tavares lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Blaylock. Tavares shrugs it off though.
Tavares throws a sloppy head kick and Blaylock moves out of range easily.
Tavares moves out of range as Blaylock strikes.
Blaylock throws a hook but Tavares blocks it.
Tavares swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Tavares takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Tavares misses with a body kick.
Blaylock throws a right and a left that both miss.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mookie Blaylock showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Blaylock has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mookie Blaylock!
Mookie Blaylock decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.