PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Marvin Blackwell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and I Know Wrestling (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Blackwell
vs
Know Wrestling

164 cm
32
140 lbs
5 - 11 - 0

150 cm
30
130 lbs
10 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Very quick

Olympic wrestler
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Spartan Nutrition

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 5 - 11 - 0, fighting out of New York, Marvin Blackwell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, I Know Wrestling!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, John Roberts and Dean Styles.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wrestling feints a jab promting Blackwell to slip. Wrestling then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Blackwell slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Wrestling needs to keep his hands up - Blackwell had a free shot at his head there.

Blackwell moves into the clinch.

Blackwell breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Blackwell chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Blackwell shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Wrestling but Wrestling pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Wrestling unleashes a big counter combination but Blackwell bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Blackwell scores with a leg kick.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Blackwell.
Blackwell ducks under a wild hook from Wrestling.

Wrestling looking to score a takedown here. Blackwell is defending well but Wrestling drives through and ends up in Blackwell's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Wrestling advances position into side control!
Blackwell is looking to regain half guard here but Wrestling keeps moving and retains side control.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wrestling cracks Blackwell with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Blackwell managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Wrestling.
Wrestling working the ground and pound.

Blackwell bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Wrestling takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Blackwell walks into a straight right hand from Wrestling.
Wrestling is trying hard to land a takedown here. Blackwell sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
A shot to the liver by Wrestling. Beautiful body shot.
Blackwell plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

It looks like I Know Wrestling has been cut.
Wrestling takes a jab right on the kisser.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Blackwell closes the distance and clinches.
Blackwell lands with a short shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blackwell struggles to land a body shot inside as Wrestling controls his hands.

Wrestling breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Blackwell fails in his attempt to clinch.
Blackwell takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Wrestling shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Blackwell eats them both and turns towards Wrestling to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
A jab from Blackwell finds it's way through Wrestling's defenses.
Wrestling works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

Wrestling gets tackled into the cage by Blackwell. Blackwell maintains the clinch.
Wrestling fails to pull guard.
Blackwell looking for a takedown.

Wrestling breaks from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Blackwell closes the distance and clinches.
Blackwell drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marvin Blackwell. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Wrestling tries to score a body lock takedown but Blackwell shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Wrestling changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Blackwell fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Wrestling throws out a loose jab but Blackwell uses good head movement to avoid it.
Wrestling has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Marvin Blackwell seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Blackwell closes the distance and pushes Wrestling back into the cage.

Blackwell pulls Wrestling into guard.
Blackwell is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Blackwell knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Wrestling on the ground.
Wrestling scoring with some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wrestling is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Wrestling content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Blackwell wants to stand and escape but Wrestling is having none of it.
Wrestling works over Blackwell with some ground and pound from guard.
Wrestling connects with a couple of short punches.
Blackwell keeping moving, preventing Wrestling from controlling successfully.

Blackwell looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Wrestling passes into side control.
Wrestling landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
You can see the frustration on Blackwell's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Wrestling wants to lay and pray for a moment but Blackwell keeps working.
Wrestling scores with a couple of short elbows.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Marvin Blackwell will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on I Know Wrestling'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.

Wrestling swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Blackwell throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Wrestling.
Wrestling with the counter takedown but Blackwell avoids it easily.
Blackwell tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Blackwell shoots in looking for a takedown. Wrestling tries to sprawl out of it but Blackwell keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Wrestling manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Wrestling looks to throw the jab but Blackwell is out of range.
Blackwell on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Blackwell moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wrestling keeps the fight on the outside.
And Wrestling tries to counter it with a takedown but Blackwell pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Wrestling shoots in and drives through. Blackwell sprawls well.
Blackwell stalks Wrestling and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Wrestling's face. Wrestling staggers backwards, shaken.
Blackwell feints and then cracks Wrestling's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Wrestling down.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Blackwell lands with a slapping head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wrestling swinging wildly here.
Wrestling throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Blackwell on the side of the head.
Blackwell lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

Wrestling gets tackled into the cage by Blackwell. Blackwell maintains the clinch.
Blackwell is defending well against a takedown attempt.
I was talking to Blackwell's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Blackwell is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Wrestling to keep the fight standing.
Wrestling has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Blackwell after a bit of a struggle.
Marvin Blackwell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of I Know Wrestling.
Wrestling tries to pull guard but Blackwell won't allow it.
Wrestling has Blackwell pushed against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blackwell prevents a takedown attempt there.

Wrestling lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Blackwell is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Wrestling scores with a couple of nice shots.
Blackwell trying to control but Wrestling postures up.
Blackwell is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Wrestling jumps into side control!
Wrestling scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Blackwell to see if he's OK.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wrestling is looking to take a break and control but Blackwell is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Wrestling has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wrestling scores with a couple of short elbows.
Blackwell is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Blackwell is trying to escape the position but Wrestling is controlling the position.
Blackwell takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Blackwell is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Wrestling has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Wrestling working the ground and pound from side control.
Wrestling working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Wrestling lands a few punches from side control.
Wrestling lands a few punches from side control.
Blackwell can't do much from the bottom here.
Wrestling scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Blackwell to see if he's OK.
Wrestling lands an elbow.
Blackwell on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Blackwell tries to get out of the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wrestling working the body and head with strikes.
Wrestling cracks Blackwell with a big elbow.

Wrestling stands up and beckons Blackwell to his feet.
Wrestling misses with a wild body shot.
Wrestling tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Blackwell was well out of range. Poor timing from Wrestling.
Blackwell throws a head kick that Wrestling semi-blocks.
Blackwell looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Wrestling is fending him off so far but Blackwell persists. Nope, Wrestling circles away and we're back to standing.
Wrestling lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Blackwell throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Wrestling throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Wrestling misses with a double jab.
Blackwell goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

Blackwell has Wrestling up against the cage in a clinch.
Wrestling misses with a body punch.
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 Marvin Blackwell will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on I Know Wrestling's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Wrestling's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Blackwell connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Wrestling scrambles back to his feet.
Blackwell throws a half hearted mid kick.
Wrestling throws a right hand that Blackwell ducks under and follows up with a left that Blackwell also avoids with ease.
Marvin Blackwell is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Blackwell throws a sloppy head kick and Wrestling moves out of range easily.
Blackwell shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Wrestling but Wrestling pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Blackwell slips a straight right by Wrestling.
Wrestling uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Blackwell.
Wrestling connects with a body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wrestling throws a series of punches but Blackwell moves out of range.
Blackwell went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Wrestling shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Blackwell sprawls well. Blackwell wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Wrestling gets slowly back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No joy there for Wrestling, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
As Wrestling looks to move away, Blackwell throws a big counter combo bu Wrestling just gets out of the way.
Blackwell misses with a head kick.
Wrestling appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Blackwell goes for a double leg but Wrestling avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Wrestling continues to drive forward.
Wrestling throws a hook but Blackwell avoids it easily.
Wrestling missing with a left hand there. Blackwell was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Blackwell tries to close the distance and clinch up but Wrestling swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Wrestling is looking for the big counter here.

Wrestling manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Blackwell on his heels. He'll look to pass Blackwell's guard now, I'm sure.

Blackwell kicks Wrestling off and gets to his feet.
The fight stays on the outside here - Blackwell looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Blackwell dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Wrestling. That did some damage!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Blackwell turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Marvin Blackwell is winning the standup battle so far.

Wrestling tries to keep at a distance but Blackwell has taken the fight into the clinch.
Wrestling misses with an elbow strike.

Wrestling breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Blackwell displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Wrestling throws out the jab.
Wrestling tries to bum rush Blackwell with a series of wild strikes but Blackwell uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Blackwell fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marvin Blackwell. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Blackwell misses with a low kick.
Wrestling let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Blackwell throws a right and a left that both miss.
Wrestling wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blackwell throws a head kick that misses.
Wrestling throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Blackwell tries to clinch there but Wrestling circles away.
Wrestling appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Wrestling misses with an uppercut. Blackwell saw that one coming.
Blackwell is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Wrestling is looking for the big counter here.
Blackwell tries to clinch but Wrestling moves out of range.
Blackwell fails in his attempt to clinch.
Blackwell misses with a body kick.
Blackwell ducks under a wild hook from Wrestling.
Wrestling takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Wrestling stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Wrestling wants it to stay on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wrestling misses with a jab, cross combination.
Blackwell fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Wrestling avoids it really well and circles away.
Blackwell is trying hard to land a takedown here. Wrestling sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Wrestling looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Wrestling shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Blackwell as he avoids it easily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Blackwell.
Marvin Blackwell is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Blackwell closes the distance and clinches up with Wrestling, looking for a takedown. Blackwell pushes Wrestling against the cage but Wrestling circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
I Know Wrestling has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Blackwell lands a head kick!
Blackwell looks to score with a jab to the body but Wrestling is just out of range.
Blackwell uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Wrestling.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to I Know Wrestling.
I think Blackwell 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 Russell Pearce scores the fight 29:28
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 29:29
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 28:30

The fight is ruled a draw!