PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Silas Blankenship (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ricardo Rocha (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ricardo Rocha looks lathargic as he enters the arena. Wake up son, you're about to have a fight!

Blankenship
vs
Rocha

212 cm
18
193 lbs
0 - 5 - 0

188 cm
22
180 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Silas Blankenship!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ricardo Rocha!
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Matheus Silva and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Blankenship shoots for a double leg takedown but Rocha sprawls well. He's pushed Blankenship's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Blankenship tries to score a power double leg takedown but Rocha sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Blankenship somewhat.

Rocha moves into the clinch successfully.

Rocha has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Blankenship regains guard immediately.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Blankenship is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Blankenship will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rocha is looking to work some ground and pound but Blankenship has wrist control.
Rocha trying to control the position from guard on top but Blankenship is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Blankenship is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rocha wants to control from the top but Blankenship keeps moving.
Rocha stops Blankenship from standing up.
Rocha throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Blankenship works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Rocha trying to control the position from guard on top but Blankenship is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Blankenship is on top in guard.

Blankenship throws a big elbow that misses.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Blankenship throws a big elbow that misses.

Rocha has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Blankenship can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Our spies down at at Soul Supremacy Rio inform us that Rocha has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Blankenship with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blankenship throws a strike but Rocha rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Blankenship keeping moving, preventing Rocha from controlling successfully.

Rocha avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Blankenship wants to get back to his feet but Rocha is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Blankenship is wriggling around but Rocha manages to pass to half guard.
Rocha is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Blankenship reverses the position - he's now on top in Rocha's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blankenship working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Rocha's head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Rocha had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Blankenship defends it easily.
Blankenship missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Rocha preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Blankenship in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Rocha controls Blankenship momentarily but Blankenship frees himself.

Rocha pushes Blankenship off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

Rocha closes the distance and clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rocha breaks from the clinch.
Rocha wants to clinch up but Blankenship keeps it at a distance.

Rocha darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Rocha looks winded!
The fighters are battling for position here. Blankenship manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Blankenship bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Rocha's guard.

We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Blankenship content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Rocha preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rocha not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Blankenship postures up in Rocha's guard and throws a big left but Rocha blocks it.
Blankenship is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Rocha has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Blankenship can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricardo Rocha dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Rocha closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Blankenship did well to prevent Rocha getting side control.
Rocha missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Ricardo Rocha has got the better of the ground game so far.
Blankenship slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Blankenship has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Rocha wants to control from the top but Blankenship keeps moving.
Rocha has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Rocha postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Blankenship looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Blankenship manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Rocha is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rocha is looking to clinch.
Ricardo Rocha seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Blankenship takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Rocha is looking to clinch.

Rocha drives through and clinches with Blankenship against the cage.
Rocha works on Blankenship's body with a couple of short punches.
Blankenship tries to circle away but Rocha has him pinned against the cage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Blankenship wants to break the clinch but can't.
Blankenship blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Rocha manages to break the clinch.
Rocha shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Blankenship eats them both and turns towards Rocha to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
No luck for Blankenship with that takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rocha has managed to clinch.

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

Blankenship gets caught flat footed, as Rocha shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rocha throwing strikes from guard but Blankenship blocks nicely.
Rocha throws an elbow that misses. Blankenship uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Rocha's guard. Nice move by Blankenship!

Rocha is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Blankenship lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blankenship stops Rocha from standing up.
Blankenship is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Blankenship would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Blankenship with a flurry of punches that miss.

Rocha working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Blankenship doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Blankenship manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Blankenship postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Blankenship connects with a couple of short punches.
Blankenship in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Rocha wants to sweep but no luck.
Blankenship would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Blankenship lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blankenship postures up.
Blankenship is looking to work some ground and pound but Rocha has wrist control.

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

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Blankenship tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Rocha defends well and Blankenship ends up having to push Rocha into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Blankenship looks to land a left hand but Rocha moved out of range nicely.
Rocha throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Blankenship.
Blankenship changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Blankenship fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Silas Blankenship. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Blankenship fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Rocha shoots in and bounces Blankenship off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricardo Rocha showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Blankenship misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Rocha closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Blankenship did well to prevent Rocha getting side control.
Blankenship is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Rocha is looking for a kimura but Blankenship is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Rocha to get the leverage.
Blankenship pushes Rocha off looking to stand but Rocha dives back in and keeps control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fighters are battling for position here. Blankenship manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Rocha decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Blankenship, up you get!

Rocha rushes Blankenship and presses him up against the cage.
Blankenship is trying to push Rocha away but Rocha has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rocha lands a knee to the body.
Rocha trying to stall but Blankenship improves his position.

Rocha has clasped his hands together around Blankenship's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Blankenship is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Blankenship is working hard here to advance position.
Blankenship is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rocha is stalling here. Blankenship is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Rocha seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Blankenship has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Blankenship lands a nice forearm strike.
Rocha striking from the bottom but nothing landed.
Blankenship connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Rocha some visible discomfort.
Rocha is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Blankenship is controlling him well.

Blankenship is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Rocha has escaped the position, nice work there.
Blankenship misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

Blankenship stands up.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rocha lands a leg kick that knocks Blankenship off balance momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blankenship shoots in looking for a takedown but Rocha manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Blankenship's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Blankenship fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Rocha avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Silas Blankenship. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Rocha closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Rocha pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Rocha forces Blankenship back against the cage and clinches.

Rocha gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Blankenship regains guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rocha with a flurry of punches that miss.
Blankenship working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rocha.
Rocha with a flurry of punches that miss.
Blankenship is trying to keep Rocha in close.
Rocha throws a big right hand that misses.
Blankenship looking to control.
Rocha throwing strikes from guard but Blankenship blocks nicely.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Rocha gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Silas Blankenship has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ricardo Rocha is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Rocha throws a series of punches but Blankenship avoids them all with ease.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ricardo Rocha comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Rocha has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Paulo Santos scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 27:30
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ricardo Rocha!