PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mace Blackblood (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vincenzo Nibali (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Blackblood comes to the cage accompanied by Gorgoroth Open the Gates. 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.

Blackblood
vs
Nibali

185 cm
19
202 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

185 cm
21
186 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

//buriedALIVE// Fight Gear

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 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Mace Blackblood!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Vincenzo Nibali!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Yves DeLean and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nibali throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Blackblood avoids the body shot from Nibali.
Nibali connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Blackblood gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Nibali's coach down at Crassus was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Nibali's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Nibali ducks under a wild hook from Blackblood.
Nibali is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Blackblood with a body shot.
Blackblood moves out of range as Nibali strikes.
Blackblood lands with an overhand left.
A big right from Nibali misses.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Blackblood crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Nibali - the referee stops the clock and Blackblood gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Nibali. Blackblood manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
A telegraphed right hand from Blackblood misses the target.
Nibali attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Blackblood throwing a counter right hand but Nibali manages to avoid it.
Nibali throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

Blackblood has Nibali up against the cage in a clinch.
Blackblood throws an elbow that misses.
Nibali unloads a knee to the mid-section.
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!
Nibali misses with a body punch.
Nibali struggles to land a body shot inside as Blackblood controls his hands.
Nibali manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nibali wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Nibali unloads a knee to the mid-section.

Nibali pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Nibali uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Nibali throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A left lands for Nibali.

It looks like Mace Blackblood has been cut.
Nibali scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Blackblood moves in looking to clinch but Nibali pushes him off.
Blackblood throws the left hand but Nibali avoids the punch easily.
Blackblood ducks right into an uppercut from Nibali.
Nibali scoring well with a low kick there.
Blackblood throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Blackblood tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
A jab from Blackblood misses.
A solid body kick from Nibali.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Nibali throws a quick inside leg kick.
Nibali scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Blackblood chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Nibali can pounce on him.
Blackblood wants to clinch
and Nibali counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Nibali throws out a loose jab but Blackblood uses good head movement to avoid it.
A nice inside leg kick there by Nibali. That's going to slow Blackblood down.
Nibali swings for the body but Blackblood moves out of range.
Nibali chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Nibali steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Blackblood.
Nibali looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Blackblood pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nibali connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Blackblood tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nibali. Blackblood does a little dance to reset his feet.
Blackblood tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Nibali manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Nibali throws a quick inside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nibali misses with a two punch combination.
Blackblood looks to throw the jab but Nibali is out of range.
A little jabbing left from Nibali on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
A shot to the liver by Nibali. Beautiful body shot.
Nibali misses with a hook.
Blackblood scores with a jab to the jaw.
Nibali swats away the attempt to clinch by Blackblood.
Blackblood moves out of range as Nibali strikes.
Nibali scores with a hook to the body. Blackblood takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Nibali's jab looks to have found its range, popping Blackblood under the eye.
Nibali connects with the punch.
Blackblood waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Nibali.
As Blackblood backs off Nibali throws a huge counter combo but Blackblood manages to avoid it all.
Good leg kick by Nibali there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Nibali misses with a jab, cross combination.
Blackblood was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Nibali lands with an overhand left.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Blackblood takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blackblood rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Nibali counters with an inside leg kick.
Nibali throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Blackblood stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Blackblood scores with a hook to the body. Nibali takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

Nibali moves into the clinch.
Nibali missing with knees to the body.
Nibali landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Nibali misses with a knee strike.
Blackblood is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Nice body punch from Blackblood.
Nibali lands a good knee to the midsection. Blackblood won't want to take too many of those.
A short uppercut from Nibali.
Nibali misses with a hook from the clinch.
Blackblood lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A shot in the inside from Blackblood.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nibali slowing the pace effectively.
Nibali blocks an elbow strike from Blackblood.
Nibali tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Blackblood avoids it.
Blackblood lands an elbow just above Nibali 's eye.
Blackblood fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vincenzo Nibali dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mace Blackblood's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Nibali lands a nice leg kick that just misses Blackblood's sensitive parts.
Blackblood is looking to clinch.
Blackblood throws a sloppy head kick and Nibali moves out of range easily.
Nibali cracks a nice hook into Blackblood's ribs.
Blackblood keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Blackblood swings for the body but Nibali moves out of range.
Blackblood takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Nibali clobbers Blackblood with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

Blackblood clinches with his opponent.
Nibali working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A nice left hand lands by Nibali.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nibali misses with a short punch on the inside.
Nibali lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Blackblood backwards.
Nibali has Blackblood pushed against the cage.
Nibali lands with a light punch inside.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Blackblood lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Blackblood lands a shoulder strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nibali goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Blackblood misses with a punch to the body.
Nibali looking to stall.
Nibali wants to stall.
Nibali will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Blackblood up against the cage.

Nibali successfully pulls guard.
Blackblood has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Nibali working for a triangle but Blackblood defends it easily.
Nibali is trying to control the position but Blackblood postures up.
Blackblood keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Nibali's head.
Blackblood landing some decent shots from guard.
Nibali looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blackblood trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Blackblood wants to control from the top but Nibali keeps moving.
Blackblood postures up in Nibali's guard and throws a big left but Nibali blocks it.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Blackblood accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Nibali looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Blackblood throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Blackblood's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Nibali controls Blackblood momentarily but Blackblood frees himself.

Nibali is looking for a triangle but Blackblood pushes his legs off easily.
Nibali working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Blackblood.
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.

Nibali is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Nibali keeping moving, preventing Blackblood from controlling successfully.
Blackblood is in close to Nibali's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Blackblood throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Blackblood stands up over Nibali, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Blackblood with a flurry of punches that miss.
Blackblood trying to control but Nibali is working from the bottom.
Nibali working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Blackblood.
Nibali trying to control the position.

Nibali escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Blackblood gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blackblood is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Blackblood got a little sloppy there for a moment and Nibali has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Blackblood has managed to get both his arms back between Nibali's legs - danger averted.
Blackblood postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Blackblood loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Nibali is looking for a triangle but Blackblood pushes his legs off easily.
Blackblood postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Blackblood lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Blackblood working some strikes from top position.
Blackblood trying to control but Nibali is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Vincenzo Nibali will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Mace Blackblood's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Blackblood lands a lovely overhand right.
Blackblood fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Blackblood is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
Nibali lands a leg kick that knocks Blackblood off balance momentarily.
Nibali takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Nibali ducks under a wild hook from Blackblood.
Vincenzo Nibali seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nibali fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Blackblood looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Blackblood takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Nibali has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Blackblood misses with a straight right.

Blackblood pushes Nibali up against the cage in a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Blackblood blocking some punches.
Nibali wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Nibali lands a right hand that snaps the head of Blackblood backwards.

Nibali breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Blackblood is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nibali tries a head kick but it misses.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Blackblood, as that shot connected.
Nibali moves out of range of the strikes.
Nibali misses with a low kick.
Blackblood with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Nibali to score with a decent uppercut.
Nibali lands with a nice body punch.
Nibali tries a head kick but it misses.
Nibali swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Blackblood steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Nibali.
Nibali swings away with a leg kick that misses.

Blackblood moves into the clinch successfully.
Good body shot from Blackblood.
Nibali takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Nibali lands an uppercut.
Nibali jumps guard but Blackblood stands there with Nibali around his waist. Nibali gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Blackblood lands an elbow inside that Nibali shrugs off.
Mace Blackblood has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blackblood lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Nibali.
This has been an exciting period of action!
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Blackblood creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Blackblood makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Nibali looking to throw knees to the head but Blackblood is blocking nicely.
Blackblood lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A left hand lands to the body for Blackblood.
Blackblood lands a body punch in the clinch.
Blackblood lands an elbow inside that Nibali shrugs off.
Nibali tries to pull guard but Blackblood holds him up against the cage and eventually Nibali drops back down to his feet.
Nibali looking to stall.
Blackblood misses with a punch to the body.
Nibali fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Nibali tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Nibali trying to control the position but instead, Blackblood has worked for underhooks and has pushed Nibali into the cage.
Nibali lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blackblood lands a damaging elbow.
Blackblood blocking some punches.
With the fighters up against the cage, Blackblood throws an elbow but misses.
Nibali throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Blackblood blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Nice elbow from Blackblood.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Blackblood just misses with a elbow thrown towards Nibali's brow.
Blackblood tries to throw a body punch but Nibali avoids it by throwing Blackblood back against the cage.
Blackblood misses with a hook to the ribs.
A right handed body shot lands from Nibali.
Blackblood lands a body shot in the clinch.
Nibali misses with a hook to the ribs.
Blackblood pushes Nibali back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Nibali connects with a knee to the head.
Blackblood tries a body shot but Nibali blocks it.
Nibali tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Nibali obliges.
Mace Blackblood has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Nibali tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Mace Blackblood has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vincenzo Nibali.
Blackblood misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nibali struggles to land a body shot inside as Blackblood controls his hands.
Blackblood lands an uppercut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Blackblood comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Blackblood scores with a nice hook to the head.
A nice right hand lands inside from Blackblood.

Nibali breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Blackblood looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Nibali feints a counter leg kick.
Blackblood ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nibali moves away.

Blackblood gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Blackblood lands a left hand that snaps the head of Nibali backwards.
Nibali lands a right hand that snaps the head of Blackblood backwards.
Blackblood tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Nibali blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Nibali misses with a knee to the head.
A shot in the inside from Blackblood.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Blackblood.
Blackblood working aggressively here.
Nibali blocks a body shot from Blackblood.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mace Blackblood showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Nibali 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vincenzo Nibali!