PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Blake Edwards (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gary Stilies (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Edwards comes into the arena with Like a surgeon blaring out of the sound system. This should be a great matchup!

Edwards
vs
Stilies

192 cm
44
237 lbs
40 - 15 - 0

200 cm
31
255 lbs
12 - 13 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 40 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Blake Edwards!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Gary Stilies!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Tarja Halkonen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Edwards misses with a wild body shot.
Stilies tries to clinch
enabling Edwards to counter with a crisp jab.
Stilies misses with a takedown attempt
and Edwards cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Edwards throws an overhand right that lands on Stilies's shoulder, as Stilies tries to avoid the shot.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Stilies has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Edwards throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
A slapping leg kick lands for Edwards.
Decent striking displayed by Edwards there.
Blake Edwards seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Edwards clinches up with Stilies and pushes him back against the cage.
Edwards missing with knees to the body.

Edwards has clasped his hands together around Stilies's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Edwards lands a few punches from side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Edwards controlling from side mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Edwards is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Stilies knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Stilies struggling a bit here.
Stilies takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Edwards 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.

Edwards working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Edwards is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Stilies has escaped the position, nice work there.
Stilies tries to improve position but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stilies regains half guard.
Stilies trying to control but Edwards postures up.
Stilies is looking for a sweep. Edwards is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Edwards slows the pace down in half guard.
Edwards trying to mount his opponent but Stilies defends it.
Edwards is taking a breather. Stilies says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Edwards has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Stilies is staying active underneath Edwards, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stilies wants to get back to full guard.
Edwards trying to control the action but Stilies is working from the bottom.
Stilies is trying to get back to full guard.
Edwards lands strikes from half guard.
Edwards working the head and body with strikes.

Edwards is trying to work for a kimura but Stilies is defending well.
Stilies is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Edwards scores with a couple of nice shots.
Still in half guard, Edwards seems content to control.
Edwards looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Stilies with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Edwards prevents Stilies from improving his position.
Edwards trying to control the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Edwards lands with a punch from half guard.
Edwards prevents Stilies from improving his position.
Stilies manages to get to full guard.
Edwards stays in close to Stilies's body and controls the position.
This is a sustained period of stalling by Edwards.
Edwards lands a couple of elbows.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Edwards landing with the ground and pound.
Edwards passes into half guard.
Stilies taking some punishment here, with Edwards in his half guard.
Stilies trying to control here.
Stilies is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Stilies regains full guard. Nicely done.
Edwards pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Stilies is keeping the position for now.
Stilies being controlled here, momentarily.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Stilies looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Edwards postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Edwards trying to control but Stilies is working from the bottom.

Stilies escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Edwards gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Edwards slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Edwards lands a couple of digs.
Edwards controls from within his opponent's guard.

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

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Stilies is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Edwards advances position into side control!
Edwards wants to lay and pray for a moment but Stilies keeps working.
Stilies regains half guard.

Edwards seems to be working for a kimura but Stilies defends the submission attempt.
Edwards wants to free his trapped foot but Stilies is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Edwards passes to full mount!

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Edwards tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Edwards lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Edwards is in full mount looking to finish with strikes. He lands a big shot, followed by another and Stilies goes limp! The ref jumps in to end the fight - a big win for Edwards!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 8:40 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Blake Edwards!
Blake Edwards really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that Perkele! logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.