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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Carlos Strikes (ranked 4263 p4p, 523 weight class) and Buster Blighton (ranked 5766 p4p, 661 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.
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| 186 cm
50
180 lbs
43 - 43 - 2 |
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186 cm
27
173 lbs
3 - 5 - 0 |
BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin |
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BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
43 - 43 - 2, fighting out of London, Carlos Strikes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Buster Blighton !
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, James Ackerman and Colin Fotheringham.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Blighton goes for a double leg but Strikes avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Strikes continues to drive forward.
A nice inside leg kick there by Strikes. That's going to slow Blighton down.
Strikes gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Strikes manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Strikes using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Blighton has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Strikes tries to throw a body punch but Blighton avoids it by throwing Strikes back against the cage.
Blighton has clasped his hands together around Strikes's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Strikes is trying to get back to half guard.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Strikes is trying to control Blighton 's posture but Blighton avoids it.
Strikes is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Blighton 's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Strikes tries to get to full guard but Blighton has control of the leg.
Strikes is concentrating on defense, preventing Blighton from advancing position.
Strikes wants to control but Blighton is keeping busy.
Strikes is refusing to be controlled, as Blighton sits in half guard.
Strikes has hold of Blighton 's hands but Blighton slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Strikes is trying to get back to full guard.
Blighton controlling the action here.
Strikes looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Blighton is pressing down on Strikes's thigh, looking to free his foot. Strikes is holding on for now.
Strikes wants to control but Blighton is keeping busy.
Blighton is trying to control the action in half guard but Strikes is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Blighton .
Blighton takes the fight into the clinch.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strikes trying to control the position but instead, Blighton has worked for underhooks and has pushed Strikes into the cage.
Strikes throws an elbow that misses.
Strikes has Blighton pushed against the cage.
Strikes is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Blighton is defending well for now.
Blighton taking a breather.
Blighton manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Blighton had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Strikes defends it easily.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Blighton is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Strikes passes Blighton 's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Strikes perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Blighton is looking to improve his position.
Blighton trying to control but Strikes postures up.
Strikes decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Blighton changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Strikes looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Blighton working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but I would say that Carlos Strikes will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!
Strikes misses with a head kick.
Blighton with the counter takedown but Strikes avoids it easily.
Blighton closes the distance and clinches up with Strikes, looking for a takedown. Blighton pushes Strikes against the cage but Strikes circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Blighton throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Blighton throws a nice looking combination but Strikes bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Strikes seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Strikes lands a big head kick that sends Blighton tumbling to the mat! Strikes takes a step backwards and waves Blighton back to his feet - he wants the finish!
It looks like Buster Blighton has been cut.
Blighton takes the fight into the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Strikes escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Blighton gets a takedown into half guard.
Strikes is not content to let Blighton control the position.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Blighton might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Strikes haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Buster Blighton has got the better of the ground game so far.
Strikes tries to kick Blighton off but Blighton keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Blighton is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Blighton not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Strikes trying to control from the bottom.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Strikes explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Blighton throws a sloppy head kick
and Strikes counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Strikes is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Blighton can do to turn this around?
Strikes tries to keep at a distance but Blighton has taken the fight into the clinch.
Strikes taking a breather.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strikes manages to break the clinch.
Blighton goes for a double leg but Strikes avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Strikes continues to drive forward.
Strikes shoots in but no luck this time.
Strikes defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Blighton .
Carlos Strikes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Buster Blighton .
Blighton moves into the clinch.
Blighton can't get the takedown.
Blighton pulls Strikes into guard.
Strikes is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Strikes is looking to stand up but Blighton won't let him.
Blighton looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blighton controlling Strikes's posture.
Blighton has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Strikes can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Blighton not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Strikes postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Blighton working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Strikes doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Strikes manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Strikes is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Blighton shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Blighton wants to control from the top but Strikes keeps moving.
Strikes thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Blighton wants to control from the top but Strikes keeps moving.
Strikes throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Blighton looking to sit in guard and control but Strikes gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Carlos Strikes dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Buster Blighton 's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!
Blighton shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Strikes seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Blighton shoots in for a takedown but Strikes shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Blighton has a takedown stuffed.
Carlos Strikes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Buster Blighton .
Blighton misses with a takedown
and Strikes counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Strikes breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Strikes shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Strikes is trying to work for a kimura but Blighton is defending well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Blighton wants to control but Strikes is keeping busy and won't allow it.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Blighton is looking to improve his position.
Strikes controlling the action here.
Blighton is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Strikes missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Blighton keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Strikes scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Blighton striking from half guard on the bottom.
Strikes controlling the pace.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Strikes is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Blighton !
Blighton is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Strikes scoring with strikes but Blighton is staying in there.
Blighton is desperately trying to improve his position but Strikes has a good base and remains in mount.
Blighton is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Strikes with the ground and pound from mount.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strikes content just to control the position here.
Blighton working to try and regain half guard.
Blighton bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Blighton controls from within his opponent's guard.
Blighton stopping the sweep attempt from Strikes.
Strikes is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blighton prevents a body shot from Strikes.
Strikes tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Strikes breaks the clinch.
Buster Blighton seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Blighton tries to keep at a distance but Strikes has taken the fight into the clinch.
Strikes escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Blighton pushes Strikes up against the cage in a clinch.
Strikes's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Strikes fails with a takedown attempt.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Blighton misses with a takedown attempt - Strikes sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Buster Blighton has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Carlos Strikes is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Blighton fails with the takedown.
And that's the end of the fight!
Carlos Strikes showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Strikes, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Phil Schofield scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 29:28
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 30:27
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Carlos Strikes!
A relieved looking Carlos Strikes thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
39% |
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