PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between John Blitz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anton Altair (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Altair's choice of entrance music: Bran's freestyle . I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Blitz
vs
Altair

175 cm
24
152 lbs
10 - 12 - 0

180 cm
27
150 lbs
11 - 7 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Sully's Bar & Grill
RAGS of a RONIN

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 12 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, John Blitz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Anton Altair!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Fedor Mirinova and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Blitz looks to clinch
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Altair tests Blitz's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Blitz shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Altair pinned against the cage. Altair gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Altair appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Altair scores with a jab.
Altair swats away the attempt to clinch by Blitz.
Altair tries to counter with a clinch but Blitz shakes him off and moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Blitz scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

It looks like Anton Altair has been cut.
Blitz shoots in but Altair avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Altair is trying to counter with his kicks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blitz looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Altair is fending him off so far but Blitz persists. Nope, Altair circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Blitz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice takedown defense from Altair. No joy for Blitz on that attempt.
Blitz slips a jab from Altair.
As Altair looks to move away, Blitz throws a big counter combo but Altair just gets out of the way.
Blitz fails with an attempt to clinch.
Altair swats away the attempt to clinch by Blitz.
Altair swings for the body but Blitz moves out of range.
Blitz tries to close the distance and clinch but Altair swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Blitz wants to clinch but Altair slips to the side
and Altair counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Blitz gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Altair counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Blitz tries to clinch up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blitz with a lazy takedown attempt
and Altair counters with a body kick.
Blitz tries to close the distance and clinch up but Altair swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Blitz tries to clinch there but Altair circles away.
Altair throws out a powerful jab.
Altair lands with an overhand left.
Altair stuffs the takedown attempt from Blitz. Blitz gets slowly back to his feet.
Altair's corner calls for a 1-2. Altair obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Altair lands a nice looking body kick.
Blitz swings away with a body shot that misses
and Altair connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Altair keeps the fight on the outside.
A little jabbing left from Altair on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Blitz misses with a straight right.
Altair tries to counter by closing the distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A slapping leg kick lands for Blitz.
Good leg kick by Altair there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
John Blitz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Blitz is looking to clinch but Altair is avoiding it.
Blitz scores with a head kick.
Blitz looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Altair is fending him off so far but Blitz persists. Nope, Altair circles away and we're back to standing.
Altair misses with a straight left.
Altair swats away the attempt to clinch by Blitz.
We've been told by Blitz's head coaches at St Petersburg MMA Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Altair scores with a nice body kick.
Blitz avoids a kick to the body.
Blitz shoots in but no luck this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blitz ducks right into an uppercut from Altair.
Blitz looks for the body kick but Altair saw that one coming.
Altair avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Blitz tries to clinch but Altair moves out of range.
Altair connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Blitz momentarily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Blitz is looking to clinch.
Altair takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Altair scores with a nice body kick.
Nice takedown defense from Altair. No joy for Blitz on that attempt.
Altair connects with a looping right hand.
Blitz is looking to clinch.
Blitz fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anton Altair dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Anton Altair'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.

Blitz misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Altair.
Altair stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Altair wants it to stay on the feet.
Blitz is looking to clinch.
Altair paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Altair stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Blitz might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Blitz.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Blitz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Blitz tries to clinch but Altair moves away
and Altair counters with a thumping low kick.
Some wild striking there from Altair.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Altair takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Altair throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Altair has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Altair thumps Blitz with a low kick.
Altair throws a front kick aimed at Blitz's knee but Blitz avoids it well.
Anton Altair seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Blitz's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Altair connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Blitz scrambles back to his feet.
Altair displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Blitz.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Blitz is defended easily by Altair.
Altair only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Blitz throws a sloppy head kick
and Altair counters with a slapping leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Altair connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Blitz moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Altair scores with a push kick.
Blitz dives in for a single leg takedown but Altair sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Altair misses with a body kick.
Anton Altair is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nice uppercut there from Altair.
Blitz fails with a takedown attempt.
As Blitz backs off Altair throws a huge counter combo but Blitz manages to avoid it all.
Altair fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Blitz has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Blitz tries to clinch there but Altair circles away.
Altair lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Blitz moves in looking to clinch but Altair pushes him off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Altair lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Altair bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Blitz's head.
Altair avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Blitz misses with a takedown attempt
and Altair counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Nice shot lands for Altair.
A head kick misses from Altair.
Blitz tries to clinch but Altair is having none of it.
Altair looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Blitz shoots in for a takedown but Altair shows good takedown defense.

Blitz fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Altair sprawls well initially but Blitz persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Blitz throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Altair to regain full guard.
Blitz has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Blitz being controlled here momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blitz wants to control from the top but Altair keeps moving.
Altair seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Blitz trying to control but Altair is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Blitz not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anton Altair showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Anton Altair's cut.
That's time! Blitz's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Altair looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Blitz goes for a double leg but Altair avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Altair continues to drive forward.
Altair looks to score with a jab to the body but Blitz is just out of range.
Altair lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Blitz circles away quickly and effectively.
Blitz moves in looking to clinch but Altair pushes him off.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Altair connects with a body shot.
Blitz has his takedown stuffed
and Altair counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Altair smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Altair goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Blitz tried to counter with a leg kick but Altair avoided it.
Blitz is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Altair lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Blitz closes the distance looking to clinch
and Altair counters with a lovely straight right hand!
John Blitz is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Altair throws a body kick that misses.
Blitz darts in looking for a takedown but Altair gets double underhooks and turns Blitz into the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Blitz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Blitz dives in and grabs Altair's left leg, looking for a takedown. Altair pushes down on Blitz's head and hops out.
Blitz shoots in for a takedown but Altair shows good takedown defense.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Altair lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Altair misses with a kick to the body.
Altair lands a lovely overhand right.

Blitz is rocked!
Blitz looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Blitz will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Altair uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Blitz has time to react.
Oh Blitz is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Blitz takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Altair misses with an uppercut. Blitz saw that one coming.
Blitz seems to have got his legs back now.
Altair connects with a good right hand that stumbles Blitz. Blitz circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Sloppy strikes from Blitz. Those never looked like landing.
Blitz looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Blitz takes one on the button.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Altair thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Blitz if he has to take too many more of those.
Blitz stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Altair.
Altair connects with a single shot there.
Altair thows a body kick. Blitz tries to catch it but that hurt him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Altair lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Altair connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
A solid body kick from Altair.
Blitz looks for a takedown but Altair sprawls well.
Altair replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Blitz blocks it well.
Blitz wants to clinch up but Altair keeps it at a distance.
Altair uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Blitz.
Blitz wants to clinch but Altair slips to the side
and Altair counters with a thumping low kick.
Blitz tries to clinch up.
John Blitz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Blitz walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

Blitz closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Altair quickly recovers to half guard.

Altair kicks Blitz off and gets back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Blitz tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Blitz tries to clinch there but Altair circles away.
A head kick misses from Blitz.
Altair swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Altair connects with a looping right hand.

Altair has closed the distance and engaged Blitz in a clinch.
Blitz is trying to stall.

Blitz breaks from the clinch.
Blitz takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Blitz looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Altair only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Altair throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
A thudding body kick lands there by Altair!

And that's the end of the fight!
Anton Altair comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Altair has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 27:30
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 27:30
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anton Altair!
A loyal slave to those sponsorship dollars, Anton Altair made sure he mentioned RAGS of a RONIN, along with how happy he was to win his fight.
The defeated John Blitz had this to say: 'Have to train my wrestling'.