PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between William Blake (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bo Xiang Pao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Blake kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Dead Man. Xiang Pao has chosen Enter The Palm as his entrance music. William Blake could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Bo Xiang Pao's chin.

Blake
vs
Xiang Pao

160 cm
27
141 lbs
22 - 10 - 2

170 cm
24
145 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Hellbent
Humanoid Nutrition (160Q for 160$)

Urban Fighter
Bullet Proof System

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 10 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, William Blake!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Bo Xiang Pao!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Chris Downing and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Blake misses with a low kick as Xiang Pao jumps back.
Xiang Pao is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Xiang Pao has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Xiang Pao moves away from the strike by Blake.
Xiang Pao is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Blake.
Blake lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Xiang Pao waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Blake.
Xiang Pao takes one on the chin but seems OK.
A big left from Xiang Pao misses.
Blake changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
William Blake seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Xiang Pao fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Blake.
Blake throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A little jabbing left from Xiang Pao 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.
Blake lands with a shot to the body.
Blake pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Blake avoids the body shot from Xiang Pao.
Blake misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Xiang Pao.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Xiang Pao! But no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blake scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Xiang Pao doesn't seem bothered though.
Blake scores with a hook to the body. Xiang Pao takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Jab by Blake.
Blake delivers a nice body kick.
Xiang Pao throws a nice looking combination but Blake bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Blake connects with a nice looking jab.
Xiang Pao takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
A nice inside leg kick there by Xiang Pao. That's going to slow Blake down.
Xiang Pao uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Blake.
Nice defenses there by Blake.
Bo Xiang Pao is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Blake jabs Xiang Pao right on the nose. Xiang Pao blinks but takes it well.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The fighters circling - Xiang Pao throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Xiang Pao misses with a low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blake shoots in but Xiang Pao avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Xiang Pao tests Blake's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Blake checks a leg kick nicely.
Blake lands a glancing blow to the side of Xiang Pao's head.
A telegraphed right hand from Blake misses the target.
Xiang Pao fails in his attempt to clinch.
Blake fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Blake slips a straight right by Xiang Pao.
Xiang Pao throws a leg kick that is checked

and Blake counters with a shoot takedown. Xiang Pao fights it but they end up in guard.
Xiang Pao has Blake pulled in close to control his posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blake lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Blake postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Xiang Pao working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Blake.

Blake is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Xiang Pao is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Xiang Pao has escaped and now he's on top!

Blake managing to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Blake has a closed guard, preventing Xiang Pao from standing up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Xiang Pao controls from within his opponent's guard.
Xiang Pao looking to sit in guard and control but Blake gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Xiang Pao keeping moving, preventing Blake from controlling successfully.
Blake is in close to Xiang Pao's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Blake wants to control from the top but Xiang Pao keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

William Blake dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A solid body kick from Blake.
Xiang Pao moves forwards but Blake connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Xiang Pao misses with a low kick.
Blake half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Blake is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Xiang Pao can do to turn this around?
Blake jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Xiang Pao slaps away a takedown attempt from Blake, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Xiang Pao tries to counter by closing the distance.
Blake throws a shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Blake ducks right into an uppercut from Xiang Pao.
Blake avoids a punch combination nicely.
Blake waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Xiang Pao.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blake has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Blake there as he acknowledges the shot.

It looks like William Blake has been cut.
Xiang Pao avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Blake misses with a hook. Xiang Pao ducked under it nicely.
Xiang Pao throws out a counter right but Blake avoids it with no problem.
Xiang Pao misses with an uppercut.
A solid body kick from Blake.
Xiang Pao fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Blake missing with a left hand there. Xiang Pao was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Xiang Pao throws out a counter right but Blake avoids it with no problem.
A telegraphed right hand from Blake misses the target.
Xiang Pao closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Xiang Pao takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Xiang Pao slips a jab from Blake.
Xiang Pao has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Blake.
Blake seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Blake shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Blake is trying to control. Xiang Pao wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Xiang Pao is controlling Blake's trapped leg to prevent Blake from advancing to side control.
Xiang Pao tries to roll over but Blake keeps him under control.
Blake 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.
Blake working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Blake is thwarting Xiang Pao's attempts to control the position.
Blake winds up and cracks Xiang Pao with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xiang Pao trying to control from the bottom.
Blake thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Blake is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Xiang Pao defends it well.
Xiang Pao preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Xiang Pao moves into full guard.
Xiang Pao trying to control the position here.

That's four 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.
Blake postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Xiang Pao looking to control.
Blake is pushing down on Xiang Pao's leg trying to pass to half guard. Xiang Pao is fighting to maintain full guard but Blake has managed to sneak the leg through.

Xiang Pao is defending against the submission attempts here by Blake.
Blake missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Blake is looking for a kimura here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

William Blake dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on William Blake's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Blake fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Blake throws a hook but Xiang Pao blocks it.
Xiang Pao thows a leg kick but Blake checks it

and Blake counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Xiang Pao!

Xiang Pao bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Blake throws a leg kick that is checked
and Xiang Pao counters with a stiff right hand.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Blake takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Xiang Pao throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Blake.
Xiang Pao throws a hook but Blake avoids it easily.
Blake takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Xiang Pao with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Blake to score with a decent uppercut.
Nice defenses there by Blake.
Blake looks to throw a body kick
and Xiang Pao counters with a stiff right hand.
Blake wants to slow Xiang Pao down by chopping away at his legs.
Blake fails with the takedown.
Xiang Pao swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Blake throws a push kick but Xiang Pao slaps the foot to one side.
Blake swings widly with a right hand
and Xiang Pao counters with a nice uppercut.
Xiang Pao takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
William Blake is winning the standup battle so far.
Xiang Pao takes one on the button.
Xiang Pao wants to clinch.
Blake attempts a counter takedown but Xiang Pao avoids it well and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Xiang Pao misses the target.
Xiang Pao throws a leg kick

and Blake counters with a shoot takedown. Xiang Pao fights it but they end up in guard.

Xiang Pao has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Blake is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Xiang Pao misses with some punches.
Blake lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Blake has a couple of punches blocked by Xiang Pao.

Blake breaks from the clinch.
Xiang Pao doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Blake connects with a looping right hand.
Blake moves out of range as Xiang Pao strikes.
Nice uppercut there from Blake.

Blake closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xiang Pao tries to bench press Blake off him but Blake keeps the position.
Xiang Pao keeps trying to improve his position.
Blake working the head with strikes.
Blake misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Blake wants to control for a moment but Xiang Pao uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
William Blake overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Xiang Pao blocking the ground and pound attempt from Blake.
Blake misses with a head shot. Xiang Pao uses the momentum to regain guard.
Xiang Pao looking to hit a scissor sweep but Blake is one step ahead there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blake being controlled here momentarily.
Blake postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Blake accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Blake stopping the sweep attempt from Xiang Pao.
Blake in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Blake with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Bo Xiang Pao just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on William Blake's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Xiang Pao misses with a looping right.
Blake tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Xiang Pao was well out of range. Poor timing from Blake.
Blake throws a jab but it's blocked by Xiang Pao.
Blake scores with a hook to the body. Xiang Pao takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Blake fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Xiang Pao looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Blake dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Blake misses with an uppercut.
Blake fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Xiang Pao manages to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Blake checks a leg kick nicely.
Blake lands with an uppercut that bounces Xiang Pao off the cage and back into range.
Blake closes the distance and clinches up with Xiang Pao, looking for a takedown. Blake pushes Xiang Pao against the cage but Xiang Pao circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A shot to the body from Blake misses
and Xiang Pao counters with a straight right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big right from Blake misses.
Blake looks to land a right hand but Xiang Pao moved out of range.
Blake throws a nice inside leg kick.
Blake throws a jab when Xiang Pao was well out of range.
Blake scores with a spinning back kick!
A low kick from Xiang Pao is predictable there

and Blake counters with a single leg into guard. Xiang Pao didn't expect that.

Xiang Pao scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Blake lands a leg kick that knocks Xiang Pao off balance momentarily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Blake scores with a crisp jab that stopped Xiang Pao in his tracks.
Blake looks to throw the jab but Xiang Pao is out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xiang Pao throws an overhand right that lands on Blake's shoulder, as Blake tries to avoid the shot.
Blake bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Blake misses with a low kick.
The fighters circling - Xiang Pao throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Xiang Pao misses with a looping right.
Blake throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Xiang Pao buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Blake fails to land the takedown.
Blake throws a lazy right hand but Xiang Pao sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Xiang Pao shapes to counter with a head kick.
Xiang Pao avoids the body shot from Blake.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xiang Pao keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Blake looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Blake misses with a low kick.
Blake uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Blake misses with the combination.
Blake swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Xiang Pao.
Xiang Pao throws the left hand but Blake avoids the punch easily.
Blake looks to land a right hand but Xiang Pao moved out of range.
Blake lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blake scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Blake misses with a body shot.
Blake fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Xiang Pao on the side of the head.
Blake scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Xiang Pao doesn't seem bothered though.
A slow jab from Xiang Pao misses its intended target.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Xiang Pao misses with a body shot.
Xiang Pao throws a looping overhand right but Blake ducks down to avoid it.
Blake moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Blake throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Xiang Pao throws a lazy right hand but Blake sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Xiang Pao has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Blake.
Blake throws a poor cross that misses
and Blake takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

William Blake had his way with Bo Xiang Pao in that round.
The cut man is working on William Blake's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Xiang Pao, as that shot connected.
Xiang Pao uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Blake.
A countering left hand to the body from Xiang Pao misses.
Blake blocks a head kick by Xiang Pao.
Blake throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Blake shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Xiang Pao pinned against the cage. Xiang Pao gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Xiang Pao walks forward, straight into a front kick from Blake.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Xiang Pao dips to his left and cracks Blake with an uppercut!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blake tries to score a power double leg takedown but Xiang Pao sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Blake somewhat.
Blake on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Xiang Pao thows a left - swing and a miss!
Xiang Pao has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
A jab from Xiang Pao misses.
Xiang Pao throws a body shot but no joy.
Xiang Pao tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Blake is able to avoid easily.
Blake throws a leg kick which misses Xiang Pao's front leg but catches the back leg as Xiang Pao tries to avoid it.
Bo Xiang Pao has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xiang Pao slips under a jab.
Blake ducks under a wild hook from Xiang Pao.
An inside leg kick lands from Blake.
Nice shot lands for Xiang Pao.
Xiang Pao tries to clinch but Blake moves out of range.
Blake attempts a counter takedown but Xiang Pao avoids it well and moves away.
Blake feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Xiang Pao's calf.
Xiang Pao on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Xiang Pao looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Blake connects with a leg kick. Xiang Pao looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Blake scores with a sloppy right hand. Xiang Pao should have avoided that one.
Xiang Pao throws a hook but Blake avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blake looks to land a body kick but Xiang Pao moved away.
Blake's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Xiang Pao connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Blake scrambles back to his feet.
Xiang Pao with a nice cross.

Blake is rocked!
Blake is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Oh Blake is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Blake swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Blake seems to have got his legs back now.
Xiang Pao misses with a looping left.
Blake feinted with a counter takedown.
Xiang Pao takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Blake misses with a looping left.
Blake cracks Xiang Pao with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Blake lands a front kick.

Blake drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Xiang Pao 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.
Blake slips nicely into half guard.
Xiang Pao flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Xiang Pao wants to get back to full guard.
Blake winds up and cracks Xiang Pao with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Xiang Pao gets full guard.
Blake throws an elbow that misses. Xiang Pao uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Blake's guard. Nice move by Xiang Pao!

Blake is trying to hold Xiang Pao in close to prevent damage but Xiang Pao has managed to pass into half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to William Blake.
Well Blake has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 49:46
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 50:46
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 49:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... William Blake!
William Blake is the new bantamweight champion!
During a confident post fight interview, William Blake thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.