PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Oliver Blair (ranked 24744 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ezekiel Adams (ranked 4110 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Blair
vs
Adams

215 cm
24
151 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

175 cm
21
145 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Oliver Blair!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ezekiel Adams!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, Jonathan Paton and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Adams tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Blair seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Nice sprawl there from Blair as Adams shoots in.
No luck for Blair with that takedown attempt.
Adams throws a lazy head kick
and Blair counters with a two punch combo.
Adams shoots and misses
and Adams takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Adams looks winded!
Horrible takedown attempt by Adams or perhaps it was just good defense by Blair, which made it look bad.
Oliver Blair has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ezekiel Adams.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Blair.
Adams lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Adams throws a head kick but Blair moves out of range.

Adams drives through and clinches with Blair against the cage.

Blair jumps guard and drags Adams to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blair looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Blair working a defensive guard here.
Blair looking for a sweep. Not yet Blair, not yet.

Blair is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Adams is aware though and is defending well.
Blair not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Adams engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Blair wants to sweep but no luck.
Blair really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Blair is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Blair wants to work for an arm triangle but Adams is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Blair seems to be working for a kimura but Adams defends the submission attempt.
Blair thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Blair not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Blair is looking for a kimura but Adams is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Blair to get the leverage.

Blair is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Adams doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Blair.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Adams wants to get back to his feet.
Adams has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Cozad MMA New York. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.

Blair is working for a kimura but Adams is defending it quite comfortably.

Blair seems to be looking for submissions.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Adams misses with a takedown attempt
and Blair counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Adams fails with the takedown
and Blair counters with a stiff right hand.

Adams gets caught flat footed, as Blair shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Adams has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Blair off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Nice takedown defense from Blair. No joy for Adams on that attempt.
Blair is looking for a counter combo.
Adams tries to score a power double leg takedown but Blair sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Adams somewhat.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Blair!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Oliver Blair dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Adams closes the distance and clinches.
Adams is trying to push Blair away but Blair has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Blair tries to pull guard but Adams won't allow it.
Blair is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Adams can do to turn this around?
Blair is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Adams to keep the fight standing.
Adams can't break the clinch.
Blair tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Adams smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Oliver Blair. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Blair gets tackled into the cage by Adams. Adams maintains the clinch.
Adams is breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Adams has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blair keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Adams's efforts to push away.
Blair jumps guard but Adams stands there with Blair around his waist. Blair gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Adams is trying to break the clinch but Blair is controlling him.
A shot in the inside from Blair.
A nice right hand lands inside from Blair.
Blair landing knees to the body.
Blair keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Adams's efforts to push away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Adams is trying to force a seperation but Blair has the dominant position.
Blair tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Adams smiles and moves away.
Blair shoots in for a takedown but Adams shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Oliver Blair is winning the standup battle so far.
Adams gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Blair counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Adams swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
enabling Blair to counter with a crisp jab.

Adams gets caught napping as Blair dives in and scores a takedown. Adams manages to retain guard.
Blair throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Adams works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Blair with a flurry of punches that miss.
Adams preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blair missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Blair throws a big right hand that misses.
Blair throwing strikes from guard but Adams blocks nicely.

Blair stands and steps away. Adams gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Blair manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Adams on his heels. He'll look to pass Adams's guard now, I'm sure.
Blair is looking to work some ground and pound but Adams has wrist control.

Blair gets to his feet. Adams looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

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

Blair is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Adams keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Blair is working for a kimura but Adams is defending it quite comfortably.
Blair missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Oliver Blair dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Adams displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Blair.
Blair is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Adams with a poor takedown
and Blair counters with a one-two to the body.
Adams shoots in but no luck this time.

Blair fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Adams, pushing him back against the cage.
Blair jumps guard but Adams turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Adams is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Blair tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Oliver Blair. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Blair lands with a right to the head.
Adams takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Blair is trying to pull guard but Adams turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Blair gets control of Adams's arms and successfully pulls guard. Blair will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Blair wants to get back to his feet but Adams is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Blair looking for a sweep. Not yet Blair, not yet.
Blair is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Adams trying to control but Blair is working from the bottom.
Blair looking for a sweep. Not yet Blair, not yet.

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.
Blair has his hands on Adams's head, controlling the position.
Blair lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Blair has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Adams looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Blair puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.

Blair is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Adams doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Blair.
Blair thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Adams's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Blair wants to work for an arm triangle but Adams is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Blair stands up out of the half guard.
Nice sprawl there from Adams as Blair shoots in.

Adams closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Blair did well to prevent Adams getting side control.
Blair is trying to escape back to his feet but Adams uses the scramble to pass into side control.
Adams wants to stand but Blair is controlling his arm.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Adams wants to control but Blair is keeping him busy.
Adams tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Blair tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Adams wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ezekiel Adams has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Oliver Blair is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Blair is working hard here to advance position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Oliver Blair showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Blair has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Oliver Blair!