PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Drake Bell (ranked 4771 p4p, 433 weight class) and Andre Blanchard (ranked 5395 p4p, 469 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Bell
vs
Blanchard

168 cm
26
139 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

170 cm
25
152 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
KO power

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Solid chin

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 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Drake Bell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Andre Blanchard!
The judges for this bout are David Hoff, Daniel Franklin and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Blanchard punishes Bell's body with a nice straight punch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Blanchard. Bell does a little dance to reset his feet.
No joy there for Bell, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Blanchard has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Nice uppercut there from Blanchard.
Blanchard ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Blanchard takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Blanchard throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Bell on the side of the head.
Blanchard tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bell was well out of range. Poor timing from Blanchard.
It looked like Bell wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Bell uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Blanchard.
Blanchard misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Bell connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Blanchard throws a body punch but Bell moves out of range.
Bell throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
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!
Bell keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Bell was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Blanchard throws a combination that misses
and Bell counters with a stiff right hand.
Blanchard throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Blanchard cracks Bell with an open hand slap.
Blanchard takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Bell has been working on his boxing with his coaches at 10th Planet Islanders in the buildup to the fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bell uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Blanchard.
Blanchard misses with a wild combination.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Bell.
Blanchard throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Blanchard throws a predictable looking body shot
and Bell counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Blanchard scores with a jab. Bell acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Blanchard moves out of range of the strikes.
Blanchard misses with a straight left.
A counter left hand to the body from Bell misses its target.
Bell slips a straight right by Blanchard.
Bell throws a hook to the side of Blanchard's head but Blanchard sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Bell moves out of range of the strikes.
Bell swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Bell misses with a hook. Blanchard ducked under it nicely.
Bell tests Blanchard's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bell avoids the body shot from Blanchard.
Blanchard swings for the body but Bell moves out of range.
Blanchard swings for the body but Bell moves out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bell doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Blanchard misses with a shot to the body
and Bell counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Blanchard dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Blanchard misses the shot to the body.
Blanchard waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Bell.
A little feinted left hand from Bell on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Bell takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Blanchard's jab looks to have found its range, popping Bell under the eye.
Blanchard throws a poor cross that misses
and Bell counters with a straight right hand.
Blanchard misses the jab.
Blanchard throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bell looks to score with a jab to the body but Blanchard is just out of range.
Blanchard is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Bell rather than just go for the knockout.
A combination from Bell does no damage.
Bell keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blanchard throws a body shot but no joy.
Bell scores with a nice head shot.
Blanchard misses with a body shot.
It looked like Bell wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Blanchard lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Blanchard throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Andre Blanchard seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Blanchard throws a looping overhand right but Bell ducks down to avoid it.
Blanchard swings for the body but Bell moves out of range.
Blanchard throws an off balance right hand
and Bell connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Bell scores with a jab to the jaw.
Blanchard waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Bell.
Bell walks into a left hand.
Blanchard is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Bell.
Bell tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Blanchard was well out of range. Poor timing from Bell.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bell lands with a nice body punch.
Bell swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Blanchard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blanchard moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Blanchard misses with a body shot.
Blanchard scores with a shot to the body.
Bell tests Blanchard's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Bell lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Blanchard ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Blanchard throws a lazy right hand but Bell sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Bell takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Bell throws a jab when Blanchard was well out of range.
Blanchard displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Blanchard swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bell with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Blanchard to score with a decent uppercut.
Blanchard wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andre Blanchard dominated that round.
That's time! Bell's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Blanchard misses with a body shot.
Blanchard sizes up Bell with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Blanchard bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Blanchard has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Blanchard misses with a hook to the body
and Bell counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Blanchard connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Andre Blanchard seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Blanchard throws a jab but it's blocked by Bell.
Blanchard fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bell manages to avoid it.
Bell throws a body shot but no joy.
Blanchard looks to score with a jab to the body but Bell is just out of range.
Bell bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Blanchard lands a nice shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bell ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Bell is looking to counter punch.
Blanchard misses with a body punch
and Bell counters with a stiff right hand.
Bell misses with a combination
and Blanchard counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blanchard uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bell.
Bell bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Blanchard's head backwards.
Bell lands a nice hook to Blanchard's body. Blanchard takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Bell takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Blanchard paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Bell lands a jab to the nose.
Blanchard misses with a hook to the body
and Bell counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Blanchard throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Bell cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Blanchard slips under a jab.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Bell might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bell misses with a lunging right hand
and Blanchard counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Bell throws a body punch but Blanchard moves out of range.
Blanchard thuds a left hand into Bell's body.
Blanchard fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bell manages to avoid it.
Bell waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Blanchard.
No joy there for Blanchard, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A quick step to the side and Bell tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blanchard throws a hook but Bell avoids it easily.
Blanchard uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bell.
Blanchard jabs Bell to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Blanchard steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Bell.
Bell loads up on a big right hand but Blanchard slips the punch.
A jab from Blanchard misses.
Nice shot lands for Blanchard.
Bell takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Bell staying out of range there.
Bell takes a swing at Blanchard's ribcage but misses.
Blanchard throws a series of punches but Bell avoids them all with ease.
Blanchard connects with the punch.
Blanchard connects with a body shot that sends Bell's belly button to the back.
Blanchard pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bell pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Blanchard throws a body punch but Bell moves out of range.
Bell is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Nice body punch from Blanchard.
Blanchard throws a combination. Bell tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Bell throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Blanchard sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Blanchard throws a body shot but no joy.
Bell misses with a hook.
Blanchard is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Bell with a body shot.
Blanchard throws a body punch but Bell moves out of range.
Decent striking displayed by Blanchard there.
Blanchard throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Bell tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Blanchard was well out of range. Poor timing from Bell.
Blanchard misses with an uppercut. Bell saw that one coming.
A little feinted left hand from Bell on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Danga de danga de dang - Bell scores with a four punch combination!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Blanchard rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Bell moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blanchard scores with a decent looking hook.
A cross from Bell lands.
Blanchard looks to score with a jab to the body but Bell is just out of range.
A swing and a miss from Blanchard.
Blanchard avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Bell looks to land a left hand but Blanchard moved out of range nicely.
Blanchard scores with a decent looking hook.
Bell walks into a jab.
Blanchard rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Bell counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Blanchard throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Blanchard scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Blanchard throws a body shot but no joy.
Bell swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Blanchard. Bell does a little dance to reset his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andre Blanchard showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Bell takes a swing at Blanchard's ribcage but misses.
Bell ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Blanchard swings and misses with a shot to the body
letting Bell counter with a right hand.
Blanchard just misses with a punch to the body.
A left lands for Blanchard.
Bell misses with a straight right.
Blanchard swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Bell slips under a jab from Blanchard.
Blanchard misses the shot to the body.
Bell moves away from the strike by Blanchard.
Bell is looking for a counter combo.
Blanchard misses with a looping left.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bell tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Blanchard was well out of range. Poor timing from Bell.
Bell misses the jab.
Bell throws a hook but Blanchard avoids it easily.
Bell on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Bell scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blanchard rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Bell moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Blanchard feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Bells jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Bell throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Blanchard misses the shot to the body.
Nice shot by Blanchard.
Bell throws a looping overhand right but Blanchard ducks down to avoid it.
Bell ducks under a wild hook from Blanchard.
Blanchard scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Blanchard throws a series of strikes that have Bell backpedaling.
Bell jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Bell slips under a jab.
Bell is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Bell throws the left hand but Blanchard avoids the punch easily.
Bell throws a hook to the side of Blanchard's head but Blanchard sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Blanchard scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Blanchard swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bell just misses with a punch to the body.
Blanchard connects with a right hand. Bell shakes it off.
Bell moves out of range as Blanchard strikes.
Blanchard has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Blanchard throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Blanchard wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
A shot to the liver by Blanchard. Beautiful body shot.
Bell lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Bell ducks under a wild hook from Blanchard.
Bell misses with a looping right.
Blanchard misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Bell connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Bell throws a nice looking combination but Blanchard bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Nice defenses there by Bell.
It looked like Bell was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Bell 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 three minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Bell misses.
Blanchard swings for the body but Bell moves out of range.
Blanchard keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Bell misses with a straight right.
Nice defenses there by Bell.
Bell uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Blanchard.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bell. Blanchard does a little dance to reset his feet.
Blanchard uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bell.
Bell misses with a wild body shot.
Blanchard walks into a jab.
A shot to the body from Blanchard misses
and Bell counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Bell takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Blanchard ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bell moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bell keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Bell swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Blanchard.
Blanchard scores with a crisp jab that stopped Bell in his tracks.
Blanchard lands a nice shot that snaps Bell's head back.
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!
A slow jab from Blanchard misses its intended target.
Blanchard tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bell was well out of range. Poor timing from Blanchard.
Blanchard takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Blanchard throws a right and a left that both miss.
Blanchard throws a poor cross that misses
and Bell makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
The fighters circling - Bell throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Blanchard fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Bell looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Bell scores with a decent looking hook.
Blanchard's jab looks to have found its range, popping Bell under the eye.
Bell rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
letting Blanchard counter with a right hand.
Drake Bell has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Blanchard throws a shot from downtown. Bell moves away and avoids it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Andre Blanchard comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Blanchard 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 David Hoff scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andre Blanchard!
A very excited looking Andre Blanchard 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.