PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Tully Blanchard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chris Millennium (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chris Millennium has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Blanchard
vs
Millennium

184 cm
23
179 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

175 cm
24
170 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
KO power

Powerful takedowns
Lethal high kicks
Heavy handed

Voodoo Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Tully Blanchard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Chris Millennium!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Dmitry Maklakov and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Blanchard swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Millennium uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Blanchard.
Blanchard on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Millennium. Millennium obviously looking to wear him down.
Millennium connects with an inside leg kick.
Blanchard tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Good leg kick by Millennium there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Chris Millennium seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Millennium chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Millennium missing with a left hand there. Blanchard was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Millennium fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Millennium feints and then cracks Blanchard's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Blanchard down.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Millennium turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Blanchard connects with a single shot there.
Millennium tries a head kick but it misses.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Millennium feints and as Blanchard raises his hands in defense, Millennium changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Millennium throws a big right hand that misses.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Millennium trying to control but Blanchard is working from the bottom.
Millennium stops Blanchard from standing up.
Blanchard working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Millennium.
Millennium with a flurry of punches that miss.
Blanchard avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Blanchard tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Millennium pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Blanchard is keeping the position for now.
Blanchard wants to stand but Millennium is controlling the position.
Millennium trying to control the position from guard on top but Blanchard is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Millennium is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Blanchard throws a jab when Millennium was well out of range.
Blanchard ducks right into an uppercut from Millennium.
Blanchard closes this distance looking for a takedown but Millennium circles away.
Millennium bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Millennium pivots, looking for a leg kick but Blanchard is out of range and Millennium settles back down.

Millennium decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Millennium tries to pass the half guard into mount. Blanchard knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Blanchard wants to improve his position but Millennium is controlling well.
Blanchard is holding on to half guard well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Millennium wants to control but Blanchard is keeping him busy.
Blanchard avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Millennium.
Millennium has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Blanchard trying to control but Millennium postures up.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Millennium tries to pass to full mount but Blanchard defends it.
Millennium missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Millennium is keen to just control but Blanchard is a slippery customer.

Millennium is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Blanchard is just riding it out for now. Millennium eventually gives up the hold.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Blanchard preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Blanchard continues to stall.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Blanchard trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Millennium manages to pass to mount!

Millennium goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Blanchard turns into him and now he's in Millennium's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Millennium dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Millennium delivers a nice body kick.
A low kick from Millennium is predictable there
and Blanchard counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Millennium with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Millennium connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Blanchard misses with a straight right.
Millennium is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Millennium fails with the takedown
and Blanchard counters with a straight right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Millennium ducks under a wild hook from Blanchard.
Millennium feints the counter takedown.
Millennium uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Blanchard.
Blanchard connects with the punch.
Millennium has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Millennium fails with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blanchard has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Millennium.
Blanchard is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Blanchard misses with an uppercut.
Millennium changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Millennium rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Blanchard counters with a nice uppercut.
Blanchard checks the leg kick nicely there.
Millennium chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Blanchard bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

Blanchard shoots in and gets a takedown into Millennium's guard.

Millennium is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Blanchard defends well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blanchard showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Millennium 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.

Millennium is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Millennium is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blanchard is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Blanchard sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Millennium tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Blanchard engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Millennium wants to hit a switch here but Blanchard passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Millennium there!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Millennium is in all sorts of trouble here.
Millennium is squirming around, avoiding Blanchard's attempts to control the action.
Millennium regains half guard.
Chris Millennium has got the better of the ground game so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Millennium moves into full guard.
Millennium is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

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 Tully Blanchard will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Millennium doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Blanchard counters with a nice uppercut.
Blanchard slips a jab from Millennium.
Chris Millennium seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Millennium scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A low kick from Millennium is predictable there
and Blanchard counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Blanchard jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.

Millennium shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Blanchard tries to get to full guard but Millennium has control of the leg.
Millennium trying to control the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Millennium is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Blanchard tries to roll over but Millennium keeps him under control.
Blanchard wants to control but Millennium is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Millennium is looking to take a break and control but Blanchard is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Blanchard is controlling Millennium's position as best he can from this difficult position.

Millennium seems to be looking for submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Blanchard tries to roll over but Millennium keeps him under control.
Millennium missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Blanchard wants to get back to his feet.

Millennium is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Blanchard has managed to free his arm - good work.
Millennium is pressing down on Blanchard's thigh, looking to free his foot. Blanchard is holding on for now.
Blanchard looks like he's trying to stand up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Millennium uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Blanchard.
Millennium steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Blanchard.

Millennium shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Blanchard manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Blanchard keeping full guard, as Millennium tries to pass.
Millennium missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Millennium wants to control from the top but Blanchard keeps moving.
Blanchard wants to stand and escape but Millennium is having none of it.
Millennium working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Blanchard 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Millennium postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Blanchard is trying to control the position but Millennium postures up.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Blanchard lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Millennium wants to sweep but no luck.

Millennium looking for subs off his back but Blanchard has passed one foot through into half guard.
Millennium is trying to get back to full guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Millennium is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Blanchard jumps into side control!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Tully Blanchard did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Millennium throws a nice inside leg kick.
Millennium walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
A low kick from Millennium is predictable there
and Blanchard counters with a stiff right hand.
Millennium fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Blanchard throws out a loose jab but Millennium uses good head movement to avoid it.
Blanchard fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Millennium manages to avoid it.
Millennium with a lazy takedown attempt
and Blanchard connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Blanchard chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Millennium can pounce on him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Blanchard looks to land a left hand but Millennium moved out of range nicely.
A good leg kick by Millennium.
Millennium scoring well with a low kick there.
Millennium fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Blanchard checks it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blanchard slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
A left lands for Blanchard.
Millennium with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Millennium misses with the body kick
and Blanchard counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Millennium is rocked!
Millennium falls off balance throwing a combination

and Blanchard counters with a nice right hand that sends Millennium toppling to the canvas! Millennium scrambles and gets back to his feet - can Blanchard finish him?!
Millennium is still on wobbly legs! Can Blanchard finish him?
This has been an exciting period of action!
Millennium moves out of range as Blanchard strikes.
Millennium keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Blanchard.
Blanchard misses with a straight right.
Millennium staying out of range there.
Blanchard walks into a jab.
Millennium seems to have recovered his senses.
Blanchard has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Blanchard there as he acknowledges the shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Millennium with a poor takedown
and Blanchard counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Tully Blanchard has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chris Millennium.
Blanchard misses with an uppercut. Millennium saw that one coming.
A swing and a miss from Blanchard.
Millennium lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Blanchard is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Millennium.
And Millennium tries to counter it with a takedown but Blanchard pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Millennium turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Blanchard getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Millennium throws a lazy uppercut

and Blanchard counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Blanchard scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Blanchard controlling the action here.

Millennium looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blanchard takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

Millennium actively working from the bottom here.
Blanchard performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Blanchard prevents Millennium from improving his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Blanchard wants to pass the guard but Millennium is defending well.
Well, if Blanchard is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Millennium throws a leg kick but Blanchard moved away.
Millennium throws a shot from downtown. Blanchard moves away and avoids it.
Blanchard throws a looping overhand right but Millennium ducks down to avoid it.
Millennium is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Millennium scores with a jab to the head.
Blanchard takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Millennium misses with a takedown attempt
and Blanchard connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Millennium wants to land a leg kick but Blanchard is out of range.
Millennium is looking to chop away at Blanchard's legs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tully Blanchard had his way with Chris Millennium in that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

A slapping leg kick lands for Millennium.
Blanchard tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Millennium shoots in but Blanchard avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Blanchard is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Millennium tries to clinch but Blanchard moves out of range.
Blanchard connects with a right hand. Millennium shakes it off.
Millennium fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Blanchard is out of range.
Millennium throws a looping overhand right but Blanchard ducks down to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Millennium walks into a jab.
Blanchard connects with a jab.
Millennium dives in for a single leg takedown but Blanchard sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the ropes.
Millennium slips under a jab from Blanchard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from Blanchard misses.
Millennium scores with a one two! Blanchard had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Blanchard swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Millennium with the counter takedown but Blanchard avoids it easily.
Millennium throws a low kick but Blanchard avoids it.
Millennium takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Millennium uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Blanchard.
Blanchard misses with a straight right.
Millennium misses with a looping right.
Blanchard drops down looking for a counter takedown but Millennium sprawls and moves away.
An inside leg kick from Millennium misses.
Blanchard misses with an uppercut.
Blanchard blocks a leg kick.
Blanchard throwing a counter right hand but Millennium manages to avoid it.
Millennium scores with a leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blanchard has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Millennium.
Blanchard on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Millennium. Millennium obviously looking to wear him down.
Blanchard throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Millennium sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Blanchard checks the leg kick nicely there.
Millennium misses with a low kick.
Millennium misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Blanchard loads up on a big right hand but Millennium slips the punch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Millennium misses with an uppercut. Blanchard saw that one coming.
Millennium lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Millennium uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Blanchard.
Blanchard lands with a straight right. Millennium didn't see that one coming.
Millennium displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Blanchard throws out the jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blanchard takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Millennium moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Millennium fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Blanchard fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Millennium on the side of the head.
Blanchard tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Chris Millennium has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Blanchard misses with a hook.
Blanchard walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Millennium tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Millennium lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Millennium throws a head kick that half lands.
Blanchard tests Millennium's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Blanchard checks a leg kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Millennium displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Blanchard throws out the jab.
Millennium fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Blanchard ducks under a wild hook from Millennium.
It looked like Blanchard wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Millennium defending well as Blanchard loads up on a big left hand.
Millennium is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Blanchard's legs have taken a beating and he's really slowing down as a result.
Blanchard throws out a loose jab but Millennium uses good head movement to avoid it.
Millennium pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Blanchard throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Millennium scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
A jab from Blanchard misses.
Millennium throws a hook but Blanchard blocks it.
Tully Blanchard is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A low kick from Millennium misses
and Blanchard counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Chris Millennium.
I think Blanchard 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 48:47
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 48:47
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tully Blanchard!