PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Noah McAdoo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tully Blanchard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

McAdoo
vs
Blanchard

175 cm
25
185 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

184 cm
23
179 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Conviction

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 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Noah McAdoo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Tully Blanchard!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Aleksandr Martynov and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Blanchard connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

It looks like Noah McAdoo has been cut.
McAdoo swings and misses with a hook to the body.
McAdoo moves out of range of the strikes.
McAdoo misses with a hook.
McAdoo throws a head kick but Blanchard moves out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from McAdoo. Blanchard does a little dance to reset his feet.
It seemed like Blanchard was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Blanchard missing with a left hand there. McAdoo was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
McAdoo will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Blanchard missing with a left hand there. McAdoo was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
McAdoo scores with a jab to the jaw.
McAdoo throws a half hearted mid kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McAdoo slips under a jab.
Blanchard throws a big shot that misses.
Blanchard connects with a looping right hand.
A jab from Blanchard misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blanchard misses with a right hand
and McAdoo counters with a slapping leg kick.
McAdoo throws a lazy head kick
and Blanchard counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
McAdoo will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
McAdoo throws a chopping leg kick but Blanchard manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Blanchard looks like he wants to counter punch here.

Blanchard drives through with a takedown into McAdoo's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

McAdoo had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Blanchard defends it easily.
McAdoo trying to control the position.
Blanchard's corner is telling him to maintain position.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McAdoo wants to sweep but no luck.
McAdoo trying to control the position.
McAdoo working a defensive guard but Blanchard passes into half guard.

McAdoo looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
McAdoo trying to hold on to Blanchard's head to control him but Blanchard postures up.

McAdoo is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Blanchard pulls his head out easily.
Blanchard performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McAdoo tries to get to full guard but Blanchard has control of the leg.
McAdoo is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Blanchard wants to pass to mount but McAdoo is defending the position.
McAdoo is staying active underneath Blanchard, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Blanchard looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
McAdoo lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Blanchard takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
McAdoo misses the body punch
and Blanchard counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
McAdoo lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Blanchard displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from McAdoo.
Nice uppercut lands for Blanchard. That snapped McAdoo's head back.
McAdoo ducks under a wild hook from Blanchard.
It looked like McAdoo wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Blanchard.
Blanchard scores with a body shot.
Blanchard misses with a straight left.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tully Blanchard dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Noah McAdoo's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Blanchard fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. McAdoo looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
A jab from Blanchard finds it's way through McAdoo's defenses.
McAdoo just misses with a punch to the body.
Noah McAdoo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McAdoo throws an off balance right hand
enabling Blanchard to counter with a crisp jab.
McAdoo displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Blanchard.
McAdoo throwing a counter right hand but Blanchard manages to avoid it.
Blanchard throws out a loose jab but McAdoo uses good head movement to avoid it.
McAdoo defending well as Blanchard loads up on a big left hand.
McAdoo fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Blanchard has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McAdoo paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
A jab from Blanchard does it's job there.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts McAdoo, as that shot connected.
McAdoo ducks under a wild hook from Blanchard.
Blanchard might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blanchard just misses with a punch to the body.
McAdoo appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Blanchard throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Blanchard dives in for a single leg takedown but McAdoo sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the ropes.
Blanchard throws a shot from downtown. McAdoo moves away and avoids it.
McAdoo throws a head kick that misses.
Blanchard throws out a counter right but McAdoo avoids it with no problem.
Blanchard loads up on a big right hand but McAdoo slips the punch.
Blanchard jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
A chopping leg kick lands by McAdoo.
McAdoo scores with a leg kick.
Blanchard throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
McAdoo gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Blanchard counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Tully Blanchard seems to be getting the better of the standup.
McAdoo throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Blanchard throws out a counter right but McAdoo avoids it with no problem.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McAdoo's jab looks to have found its range, popping Blanchard under the eye.

McAdoo throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Blanchard was covering up waiting for the punch and McAdoo finishes the takedown easily into guard.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Blanchard wants to sweep but no luck.
McAdoo trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Blanchard manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

McAdoo trying to keep a closed guard but Blanchard is proving a slippery customer.
Blanchard trying to control the position from guard on top but McAdoo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Blanchard must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

McAdoo looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McAdoo trying to keep a closed guard but Blanchard is proving a slippery customer.
Blanchard wants to control from the top but McAdoo keeps moving.

McAdoo is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Blanchard trying to control the position from guard on top but McAdoo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
McAdoo trying to control the position.
McAdoo 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.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
McAdoo trying to keep a closed guard but Blanchard is proving a slippery customer.

McAdoo working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Blanchard doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Blanchard manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Blanchard slips nicely into half guard.
Blanchard stalling.

McAdoo looking for submissions off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Tully Blanchard will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Noah McAdoo's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Blanchard jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Blanchard is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by McAdoo.
A nice leg kick lands there from McAdoo.
McAdoo misses with a kick to the body.
A little jabbing left from Blanchard on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Blanchard checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Blanchard throws a hook but McAdoo blocks it.
McAdoo throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Blanchard takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Blanchard misses the jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McAdoo moves out of range of the strikes.
McAdoo ducks under a wild hook from Blanchard.

McAdoo gets caught napping as Blanchard dives in and scores a takedown. McAdoo manages to retain guard.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

McAdoo escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Blanchard gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Blanchard wants to control from the top but McAdoo keeps moving.

Blanchard avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Blanchard lands a couple of elbows.
Blanchard is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
McAdoo can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Blanchard controls the pace.

McAdoo is looking for a triangle but Blanchard pushes his legs off easily.

That's two 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.
McAdoo bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Blanchard's guard.

McAdoo pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Blanchard is keeping the position for now.
Blanchard manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. McAdoo manages to get himself to full guard.

McAdoo trying to control the position.
Blanchard seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

McAdoo looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blanchard controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Blanchard trying to control but McAdoo is working from the bottom.
Tully Blanchard has got the better of the ground game so far.
McAdoo trying to control the position.
McAdoo tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Blanchard keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of McAdoo's head.
Blanchard is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Blanchard got a little sloppy there for a moment and McAdoo has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Blanchard has managed to get both his arms back between McAdoo's legs - danger averted.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

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

McAdoo is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
McAdoo working a defensive guard here.
Blanchard looking to pass the guard.
Blanchard trying to control but McAdoo is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
McAdoo tries to clinch but Blanchard moves away
and Blanchard counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Blanchard walks into a left hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Tully Blanchard just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Noah McAdoo's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

McAdoo steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Blanchard.
McAdoo takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Blanchard misses with a straight right.
McAdoo cracks a nice hook into Blanchard's ribs.

McAdoo moves into the clinch.
McAdoo has a couple of punches blocked by Blanchard.
McAdoo is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
McAdoo looking to stall.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Blanchard is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but McAdoo is defending well.
Blanchard is trying to force a seperation but McAdoo has the dominant position.
Blanchard throws a punch but it's blocked by McAdoo.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Blanchard breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nice defenses there by McAdoo.
Blanchard blocks a leg kick.
McAdoo closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

Noah McAdoo's cut is getting worse.
McAdoo throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Blanchard throws a big shot that misses.
Blanchard throws a jab when McAdoo was well out of range.
Nice jab there from McAdoo.
McAdoo swings widly with a right hand
and Blanchard counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
McAdoo connects with a single shot there.
McAdoo slips under a jab.
McAdoo looks to throw a body kick
and Blanchard counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McAdoo connects with an inside leg kick.
Blanchard misses with an uppercut. McAdoo saw that one coming.
McAdoo lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Blanchard takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Blanchard misses with a looping right.
Blanchard's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Blanchard swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
McAdoo scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Blanchard throws an overhand right that lands on McAdoo's shoulder, as McAdoo tries to avoid the shot.

Excellent takedown into side control there by McAdoo.
Blanchard defending against the ground and pound.
Blanchard prevents McAdoo from improving position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McAdoo trying to control the position but Blanchard is working away.
Blanchard sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Blanchard is looking to control McAdoo's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Blanchard avoid being mounted?
McAdoo passes to side control.
Blanchard is trying to control McAdoo's posture but McAdoo avoids it.
Blanchard is looking for a sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McAdoo moves into full mount!
McAdoo trying to control but Blanchard is having none of it.
Blanchard is trying to stand up.

McAdoo swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Blanchard is now in McAdoo's guard. A big mistake from McAdoo there, giving up the dominant position!
Blanchard trying to control but McAdoo is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Noah McAdoo will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Noah McAdoo's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

A looping hook to the body misses from McAdoo. Blanchard does a little dance to reset his feet.
A swing and a miss from Blanchard.
Nice defenses there by McAdoo.
Blanchard missing with a left hand there. McAdoo was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Blanchard blocks the body kick.
McAdoo shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Blanchard pinned against the ropes. Blanchard gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A little jabbing left from Blanchard on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McAdoo misses with an attempted mid kick.
McAdoo moves out of range as Blanchard strikes.
McAdoo with a lazy takedown attempt
enabling Blanchard to counter with a crisp jab.
Blanchard looks to land a left hand but McAdoo moved out of range nicely.
McAdoo is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Blanchard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McAdoo misses with a kick to the body
and McAdoo takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
McAdoo throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A clash of legs there as Blanchard blocks the low kick.
Blanchard misses with a looping left.
Blanchard displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from McAdoo.
Blanchard tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Noah McAdoo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McAdoo moves out of range as Blanchard strikes.
McAdoo gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
McAdoo shoots and misses
and Blanchard connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Blanchard shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
McAdoo fails with a takedown attempt.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blanchard throws an uppercut from half a mile away. McAdoo sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Blanchard shoots in and drives through. McAdoo sprawls well.
Blanchard shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. McAdoo defends it nicely.

McAdoo drives through and clinches with Blanchard against the ropes.
Noah McAdoo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Blanchard is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but McAdoo is defending well.

Blanchard is working on a single leg takedown against the ropes. McAdoo can't fight it off and eventually Blanchard manages to take the fight to the floor. McAdoo looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McAdoo working a defensive guard but Blanchard manages to pass into side control anyway.
McAdoo is trying to improve his position.
McAdoo manages to get back to half guard.
McAdoo wants to control but Blanchard is keeping busy and won't allow it.
McAdoo misses with some strikes from the bottom.
McAdoo wants to get back to full guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. McAdoo manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

McAdoo working for a triangle but Blanchard defends it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McAdoo wants to sweep but no luck.
McAdoo not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
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.
McAdoo keeping moving, preventing Blanchard from controlling successfully.

McAdoo is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
McAdoo tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Blanchard controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Tully Blanchard is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

McAdoo had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Blanchard defends it easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tully Blanchard comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Blanchard has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 47:48
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 45:50
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 46:49

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