PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Tully Blanchard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johnny Raphsody (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tully Blanchard could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Johnny Raphsody's chin.

Blanchard
vs
Raphsody

184 cm
20
179 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

180 cm
20
179 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tully Blanchard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Johnny Raphsody!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, Lou da Vinci and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Raphsody misses with a wild combination.
Blanchard connects with a body shot that sends Raphsody's belly button to the back.
Raphsody takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Raphsody uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Blanchard.
Raphsody throws a counter combo.
Blanchard misses with an uppercut. Raphsody saw that one coming.
Raphsody avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Raphsody avoids a punch combination nicely.
Blanchard has been working on his boxing with his coaches at The Shark Tank in the buildup to the fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Raphsody throws a left and a right that both miss
and Blanchard makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Blanchard looks to throw the jab but Raphsody is out of range.
Raphsody walks into a left hand.
Raphsody uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Blanchard.
A nice combination there by Raphsody.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blanchard throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Some wild striking there from Blanchard.
Raphsody attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Raphsody has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Raphsody slips a straight right by Blanchard.
No joy there for Raphsody, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Raphsody uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Blanchard.
A lazy left from Blanchard finds it's target.
Blanchard drops his hands momentarily and Raphsody takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Raphsody throws a series of punches but Blanchard moves out of range.
Blanchard clobbers Raphsody with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Blanchard moves out of range of the leg kick from Raphsody.
Raphsody tries to bum rush Blanchard with a series of wild strikes but Blanchard uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Raphsody throws a right hand that misses
and Blanchard counters with a straight right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Raphsody throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Blanchard with a jab.
Blanchard lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Johnny Raphsody is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Blanchard paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Blanchard has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Blanchard takes a swing at Raphsody's ribcage but misses.
Blanchard lands with a shot to the body.
Blanchard checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Blanchard scores with the left hand. Raphsody knows he should have avoided that one.
Blanchard connects with a single shot there.
Blanchard scores with a nice right hand.
Blanchard blocks a jab.
Blanchard scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raphsody shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Blanchard looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Blanchard is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Raphsody throws a nice looking combination but Blanchard bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Raphsody falls off balance throwing a combination
and Blanchard counters with a stiff right hand.
Blanchard throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Raphsody misses with a straight right.
Blanchard showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Raphsody.
Blanchard lands with an uppercut that bounces Raphsody off the cage and back into range.
Good exchange - Blanchard coming out on top.
Blanchard on the wrong end of a nice jab.

Blanchard cracks Raphsody with a big right hand that sends him to the floor! Raphsody looks wobbly but he's sprung back up to his feet straight away… can Blanchard finish him?

Raphsody is rocked!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
BOOM! Blanchard lands a beautiful left hook that drops Raphsody. Raphsody tries to recover but Blanchard is having none of it, landing more punishing shots from mount. One final crushing shot and Raphsody lies motionless on the canvas. The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:09 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Tully Blanchard!