PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Denver Sampson (ranked 24804 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arthur John Blatchet (ranked 5402 p4p, 521 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Blatchet's choice of entrance music: Hardest Button To Button. Arthur John Blatchet will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Sampson
vs
John Blatchet

185 cm
25
194 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

186 cm
25
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Enjoys gardening

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Denver Sampson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Arthur John Blatchet!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Daniel Blasius and Paul Aken.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sampson closes this distance looking for a takedown but Blatchet circles away.
Sampson slaps away a takedown attempt from Blatchet, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Blatchet connects with a crisp jab.

It looks like Denver Sampson has been cut.
Blatchet scores with a hook to the body. Sampson takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Sampson shoots in for a takedown but Blatchet shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Blatchet fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Blatchet has a takedown stuffed.
Sampson seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Denver Sampson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Arthur John Blatchet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Sampson is defended easily by Blatchet.
Blatchet is looking to land body kicks.
Sampson has a takedown stuffed.
Blatchet fails with a takedown attempt.

Sampson gets a clinch.
Sampson stalls.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sampson is stalling here.

Sampson breaks the clinch.
Blatchet misses with a takedown

and Sampson counters by moving into the clinch.
Blatchet is trying to break free.
Sampson has Blatchet pushed against the cage.

Sampson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Blatchet throws a sloppy head kick and Sampson moves out of range easily.
Blatchet has his takedown stuffed

and Sampson holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Blatchet looks winded!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blatchet being controlled against the cage.
Sampson stalling in the clinch.
Sampson pressing his opponent against the cage.
Blatchet fails to pull the fight into his guard.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Denver Sampson.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sampson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Blatchet doesn't manage to clinch there - Sampson circles away.
Sampson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Blatchet looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Sampson gets a takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Sampson decides to return to a standing position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Denver Sampson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Denver Sampson's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Sampson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Blatchet as he avoids it easily.
Sampson fails with a takedown attempt.
Blatchet throws a sloppy head kick and Sampson moves out of range easily.

Sampson clinches.

Sampson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Blatchet gets tackled into the cage by Sampson. Sampson maintains the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sampson is pushing Blatchet up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Blatchet has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Sampson is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sampson breaks from the clinch.
Nice takedown defense from Sampson. No joy for Blatchet on that attempt.
Blatchet wants to clinch but Sampson slips to the side
and Sampson counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Blatchet tries for a takedown but Sampson circles away easily

and Sampson counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Sampson.
Denver Sampson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Arthur John Blatchet.
Blatchet is breathing heavily.

Sampson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Sampson darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Sampson perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

Sampson stands up out of the half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blatchet pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Sampson is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Blatchet.
Blatchet tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Sampson moves into the clinch.
The referee calls for Sampson to work.

Sampson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sampson leaves Blatchet with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Sampson is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Blatchet's half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sampson decides to stand and escape the position.

Sampson bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Sampson has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

Sampson shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Blatchet is trying to defend but Sampson finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Sampson scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blatchet on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Sampson postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Blatchet to stand up.

Sampson is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Blatchet's half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sampson drops an elbow to the side of Blatchet's head.
Sampson working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Sampson seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Sampson controlling the action here.
Nice strikes from Sampson there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Denver Sampson dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Denver Sampson's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Sampson looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Blatchet!
Blatchet wants to get back to his feet but Sampson is dominant here and he's now got Blatchet's back!
Sampson lands a shot to the head.

Sampson working for the choke.

Sampson patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Sampson lands with a nice looking elbow that stuns Blatchet.
Sampson has the hooks in. Blatchet is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Blatchet fending off the submission attempt from Sampson.
Blatchet takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Good control from Sampson.

Sampson is working on the RNC. He looks like he's got it but Blatchet won't tap... Oh, he's out! The ref rips Sampson off his unconscious opponent!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:50 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Denver Sampson!
Arthur John Blatchet was interviewed post fight and said 'Was that all? I hope so. Next time i'll give a little more!'.