PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Joe Bailey (ranked 3579 p4p, 358 weight class) and Blake Wightman (ranked 2664 p4p, 286 weight class). Wightman has chosen BFMV-You want a battle(here's a war) as his entrance music. Blake Wightman told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Bailey
vs
Wightman

177 cm
27
166 lbs
13 - 7 - 0

178 cm
32
165 lbs
13 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Helsinki Xtreme Fightwear

Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Joe Bailey!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Blake Wightman!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, David Schapiro and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wightman jabs Bailey to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Wightman misses with a double jab.
Bailey scores with a shot to the body.
The crowd cheers as Bailey lands an impressive looking overhand right. Wightman doesn't seem phased though.
Bailey checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Wightman bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Wightman has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Wightman uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bailey.
Wightman swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
A shot to the liver by Bailey. Beautiful body shot.
Bailey throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Wightman sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Wightman scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Bailey lands a jab to the nose.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Wightman attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Wightman closes this distance looking for a takedown but Bailey circles away.
Wightman throws a nice looking combination but Bailey bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Wightman lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Bailey backs up against the cage.

Bailey is rocked!

Wightman gets the takedown into side control.
Oh Bailey is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Bailey regains half guard.
Wightman thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Bailey's head.
Bailey seems to have got his legs back now.
Wightman landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bailey has his hands clasped together around Wightman's back. He's all about the action.
Wightman thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Bailey's head.
Wightman not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Wightman not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Wightman lands with a punch from half guard.
Bailey is trying to get back to full guard.
Bailey blocking the ground and pound attempt from Wightman.
Bailey wants to control but Wightman is keeping busy.
Wightman missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bailey is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Wightman missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Wightman is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Wightman working the head and body with strikes.
Bailey is staying active underneath Wightman, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Wightman missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Bailey keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Bailey moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Wightman throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Bailey works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Wightman trying to control but Bailey is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wightman throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Wightman postures up in Bailey's guard and throws a big left but Bailey blocks it.
Wightman loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Wightman throws a big right hand that misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wightman throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Bailey works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Wightman throwing strikes from guard but Bailey blocks nicely.
Wightman throws a big right hand that misses.
Wightman keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Bailey's head.
Bailey preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Wightman stopping the sweep attempt from Bailey.
Bailey keeping moving, preventing Wightman from controlling successfully.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Wightman accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bailey working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Wightman.
Wightman scoring with punches to the head and body.
Wightman wants to pass the guard but Bailey is keeping the position.
Wightman lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Wightman sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Bailey's guard.
Bailey manages to get to full guard.
Wightman throws an elbow that misses. Bailey uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Wightman's guard. Nice move by Bailey!

Bailey has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Wightman is proving hard to escape from.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Blake Wightman dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Bailey moves away from the strike by Wightman.
Joe Bailey seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A nice combination there by Wightman.
Bailey throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Wightman throws a body shot but no joy.
Wightman misses with an uppercut. Bailey saw that one coming.
Wightman keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Bailey.
Bailey slips under a jab from Wightman.
Wightman shoots for a double leg takedown but Bailey sprawls well. He's pushed Wightman's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A left and a right from Wightman both land. Nice combination.
Bailey lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Wightman circles away quickly and effectively.
Bailey lands a jab to the head.
Bailey swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Wightman moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Bailey misses with a body shot.
Wightman looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Wightman throws a hook to the side of Bailey's head but Bailey sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Bailey drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Wightman lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Bailey circles away quickly and effectively.
Wightman's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Bailey connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Wightman scrambles back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wightman shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Bailey as he jumps to the side.
Bailey looks to land a body kick but Wightman moved away.
Wightman looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Joe Bailey has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Blake Wightman.
Wightman thuds his shin into the meat of Bailey's side.
Wightman shoots in looking for a takedown but Bailey manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Wightman's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
A quick step to the side and Bailey tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Wightman takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Bailey throws the kick towards the body but Wightman avoids it.
Wightman throws a front kick aimed at Bailey's knee but Bailey avoids it well.
Bailey fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Wightman has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

Wightman closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Wightman lands in his opponent's guard.
Bailey 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wightman tries to free his leg and advance position but Bailey is retaining full guard.
Bailey keeping moving, preventing Wightman from controlling successfully.
Wightman is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Wightman with a nice head shot there.
Wightman passes Bailey's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Wightman thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Bailey regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Wightman.
Wightman wants to control from the top but Bailey keeps moving.
Wightman stands up over Bailey, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Bailey looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wightman in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Wightman postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Wightman loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Bailey bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Wightman's guard.

Bailey trying to stand up but can't free himself from Wightman's guard.
Wightman doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Wightman has a closed guard, preventing Bailey from standing up.
Wightman trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Bailey wants to control from the top but Wightman keeps moving.

Bailey stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Bailey tries to bum rush Wightman with a series of wild strikes but Wightman uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Wightman throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Bailey.

Bailey tries to sprawl but Wightman drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Wightman sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Bailey defending well though.
Wightman winds up and cracks Bailey with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Bailey has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Wightman is working away from the top position though.
Wightman throwing shots but Bailey is blocking nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Blake Wightman showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Bailey fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Wightman looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Bailey throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Bailey staying out of range there.
Bailey wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Bailey moves out of range as Wightman throws a body kick.
Wightman throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Wightman fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Bailey throws a body shot but no joy.
Joe Bailey is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Wightman turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Bailey slips a jab and a cross from Wightman.
Wightman walks into a left hand.
Bailey is looking to wear down Wightman with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Wightman throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Blake Wightman seems to be getting the better of the standup.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bailey looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Bailey steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Wightman.
Bailey misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Wightman counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Wightman avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nice uppercut there from Bailey.
Bailey just misses with a punch to the body.
Wightman only half commits to the counter leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bailey throws a body punch but Wightman moves out of range.
A slapping body kick lands there for Bailey.
Wightman avoids a kick to the body.
Bailey connects with a crisp jab.
Wightman shoots in but no luck this time.
Bailey's corner calls for a 1-2. Bailey obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Wightman takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Bailey takes a swing at Wightman's ribcage but misses.
Bailey throws a body kick that misses.
Wightman blocks the body kick.
Wightman swinging wildly here.
Wightman shoots in but no luck this time.
Bailey throws a right and a left that both miss.
Wightman throws a nice outside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Wightman throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Bailey was covering up waiting for the punch and Wightman finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Wightman takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Wightman being controlled here momentarily.
Wightman trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Bailey is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Bailey trying to control the pace.

Bailey decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Blake Wightman is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bailey stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Bailey misses with a body punch
and Bailey takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Bailey gets off balance looking for a body kick

and Wightman counters with a single leg into guard. Bailey didn't expect that.
Wightman sitting in guard here, content to control.
Bailey working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Wightman.
Wightman controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wightman preventing the sweep.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Wightman's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Wightman trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Wightman throws an elbow that misses. Bailey uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Wightman's guard. Nice move by Bailey!

Blake Wightman has got the better of the ground game so far.
Wightman is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Joe Bailey has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Wightman is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Wightman sitting and controlling from the 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 Joe Bailey.
Well Wightman 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 Joseph Jones scores the fight 28:29
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Blake Wightman!
A victorious Blake Wightman thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.