PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ritchie Blackmore (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Craig Clifton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Blackmore comes to the ring accompanied by 16th century greensleeves. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Blackmore
vs
Clifton

180 cm
34
199 lbs
13 - 11 - 1

179 cm
30
191 lbs
15 - 14 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Decent boxing
Fast

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 13 - 11 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Ritchie Blackmore!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 14 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Craig Clifton!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Albert Achterberg and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Blackmore throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Clifton.
Clifton changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Clifton.
Blackmore slaps away a takedown attempt from Clifton, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Clifton shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Blackmore pinned against the ropes. Blackmore gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Ritchie Blackmore has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Craig Clifton.
Clifton dives in for a single leg takedown but Blackmore sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the ropes.
Clifton closes this distance looking for a takedown but Blackmore circles away.
Clifton takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Blackmore scores with a nice right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Blackmore lands with an overhand left.

It looks like Craig Clifton has been cut.
Clifton shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Blackmore pinned against the ropes. Blackmore gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Blackmore tries a low kick but Clifton avoids it.
Blackmore stuffs the takedown attempt from Clifton. Clifton gets slowly back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blackmore with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Blackmore misses with a double jab.
Blackmore looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Clifton shoots in for a double leg but Blackmore sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Clifton tries for a takedown but Blackmore sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Blackmore catches Clifton with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Blackmore misses with a low kick.
Blackmore throws a lazy uppercut

and Clifton counters with a shoot takedown. Blackmore fights it but they end up in guard.
Clifton looking to pass the guard.
Clifton postures up.
Blackmore looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Blackmore wants to stand and escape but Clifton is having none of it.
Clifton preventing the sweep.

Blackmore is looking for a triangle but Clifton pushes his legs off easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Clifton postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Blackmore is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Clifton, into his guard.

This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Blackmore lands a couple of elbows.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Blackmore works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Blackmore lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Clifton won't allow Blackmore to pass to mount.
Blackmore seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Clifton does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Clifton wants to get back to full guard.
Blackmore looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Clifton with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Blackmore tries to pass the half guard into mount. Clifton knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Blackmore moves nicely into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Clifton sneaks back into half guard.
Clifton wants to control but Blackmore is keeping busy.
Blackmore trying to mount his opponent but Clifton defends it.
Blackmore is thwarting Clifton's attempts to control the position.
Clifton is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Blackmore's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Blackmore's back!
Blackmore rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Clifton is trying to control. Blackmore wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Blackmore is looking to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Clifton is looking to advance position but Blackmore won't allow it.
Clifton seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
The fighters are battling for position here. Blackmore manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Blackmore working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Clifton doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Clifton manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Blackmore lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Blackmore pushing down on Clifton's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Blackmore connects with a nice short shot to Clifton's temple.
Clifton is trying to maintain the position but Blackmore is very close to passing his half guard.
Blackmore is pressing down on Clifton's thigh, looking to free his foot. Clifton is holding on for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ritchie Blackmore dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Craig Clifton's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

An inside leg kick from Blackmore misses.
Blackmore throws a push kick but Clifton slaps the foot to one side.
Clifton is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Clifton shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Blackmore sprawls well. Blackmore wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Clifton gets slowly back to his feet.
Blackmore displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Clifton.
Blackmore swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Horrible takedown attempt by Clifton or perhaps it was just good defense by Blackmore, which made it look bad.
Blackmore was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Ritchie Blackmore has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Craig Clifton.
A nice inside leg kick there by Blackmore. That's going to slow Clifton down.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Blackmore throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Clifton changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Blackmore uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

Clifton closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Blackmore to the mat! Blackmore manages to get full guard.
Clifton preventing the sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Clifton pushing down on Blackmore's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Blackmore gets back to full guard.
Blackmore wants to sweep but no luck.
Blackmore is working hard here to advance position.
Clifton postures up in Blackmore's guard and throws a big left but Blackmore blocks it.
Clifton passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Clifton is working to tighten his grip on Blackmore's neck. He's isolated an arm and is working for an arm triangle. Blackmore has recognised the danger and is trying to turn with the submission but Clifton is really squeezing tight and eventually Blackmore passes out! Clifton breaks the hold and jumps onto the ropes to celebrate! Submission of the night, I'd say!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Craig Clifton!
A very excited looking Craig Clifton made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.
In defeat, Ritchie Blackmore stepped up to the mic, saying 'Thank you for the contest. /handshake'.