PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Joseph Futeran (ranked 2530 p4p, 2849 weight class) and Oscar Blaydes (ranked 286 p4p, 320 weight class). Futeran comes to the cage accompanied by Jesus Christ Superstar. Blaydes has chosen Black Sunshine - White Zombie as his entrance music. Oscar Blaydes has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Futeran
vs
Blaydes

176 cm
26
161
10 - 10 - 0

171 cm
25
158
3 - 1 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

HELLBENT

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 10 - 10 - 0, fighting out of London, Joseph Futeran!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Oscar Blaydes!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, William Gold and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Futeran shoots in for a takedown but Blaydes shows good takedown defense.
Blaydes misses with a wild body shot.
Blaydes misses with a body punch

and Futeran counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Blaydes looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Blaydes avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Futeran.
Futeran missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Blaydes is looking for a sweep. Futeran is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Ground and pound from Futeran.
Futeran wants to control but Blaydes is keeping him busy.
Blaydes keeps control of the position for the meantime.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Futeran is trying to control. Blaydes wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Futeran not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blaydes is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Futeran's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Futeran's back!
Even with his hooks in, Blaydes manages to miss with strikes from the back.
Blaydes thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.
Futeran is in bad spot here.
Futeran avoids the strikes from Blaydes.
Blaydes has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Blaydes lands a shot to the head.
Blaydes is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
Will Blaydes go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Blaydes keeps control of the position as Futeran tries to break free.
I would not like to be Futeran right now.
Blaydes is trying to stick to Futeran's back but Futeran is turning into Blaydes. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Blaydes's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Futeran.
Futeran postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Futeran is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Futeran trying to control but Blaydes is working from the bottom.
Futeran working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Blaydes's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Futeran throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Futeran is looking to work some ground and pound but Blaydes has wrist control.
Futeran throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Blaydes works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Blaydes managing to control the position.
Futeran preventing the sweep.
Futeran chips away with some ground and pound.
Futeran throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Blaydes works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Futeran working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Blaydes is controlling Futeran's posture.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Futeran postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Futeran throwing strikes but missing.

Futeran got a little sloppy there for a moment and Blaydes has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Futeran has managed to get both his arms back between Blaydes's legs - danger averted.

Blaydes has his foot on Futeran's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Futeran works his way back into a safe position though.
Futeran works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Futeran moves into full mount! Blaydes won't be happy about that!
Futeran misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Futeran dominating with strikes here.
Futeran with shots to the head and body - Blaydes looks very uncomfortable down there.
Futeran with a couple of short strikes.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Blaydes takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Joseph Futeran dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Blaydes displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Futeran throws out the jab.
Blaydes chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Blaydes tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Futeran was well out of range. Poor timing from Blaydes.
Blaydes scores with a nice strike.
Blaydes tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A quick step to the side and Futeran tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Futeran looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Blaydes uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Futeran.
Blaydes pivots, looking for a leg kick but Futeran is out of range and Blaydes settles back down.
Futeran scores with a jab. Blaydes acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Futeran looks to land a left hand but Blaydes moved out of range nicely.
Futeran is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Blaydes can do to turn this around?
Blaydes uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Futeran.
Futeran misses the shot to the body.
Blaydes is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Blaydes gets a clinch.
Futeran misses with a punch to the body.
Blaydes misses with the head strike.
Futeran lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blaydes tries a body shot but Futeran blocks it.
I was talking to Futeran's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Futeran lands a shot to the body.
A bit of stalling here from Futeran.
A short right from Blaydes.
Blaydes misses with some punches.
Blaydes lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Futeran lands an elbow that stopped Blaydes in his tracks for a moment.
Futeran tries to throw a body punch but Blaydes avoids it by throwing Futeran back against the cage.
Futeran lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Blaydes backwards.
Blaydes lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Futeran backwards.
Blaydes lands a left hand.
Futeran misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Blaydes.
Futeran struggles to land a body shot inside as Blaydes controls his hands.
Futeran swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Blaydes misses with the head strike.
Blaydes lands a nice uppercut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Blaydes presses Futeran against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Blaydes scores with a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Futeran.
Blaydes makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Blaydes lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Futeran.
A body shot lands from Blaydes.
Futeran comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

Blaydes breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Futeran thuds his right hand into Blaydes's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Blaydes tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Blaydes scores with a jab.
Blaydes is looking to clinch.
Futeran's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Blaydes connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Futeran scrambles back to his feet.
Futeran throws a jab but it's blocked by Blaydes.
Futeran misses with a jab to the body
and Blaydes counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Blaydes fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Blaydes stuns Futeran with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Blaydes. Futeran does a little dance to reset his feet.
A counter left hand to the body from Futeran misses its target.
Blaydes scores with a punch to the head.
Blaydes wants to clinch up but Futeran keeps it at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Futeran takes a swing at Blaydes's ribcage but misses.
Futeran misses with a hook. Blaydes ducked under it nicely.
Oscar Blaydes seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A decent looking cross lands there for Blaydes.
Futeran fails to land with a series of punches.
Blaydes scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Futeran doesn't seem bothered though.
Futeran looks to score with a jab to the body but Blaydes is just out of range.
Futeran blocks a low kick nicely.
Blaydes throws a leg kick which misses Futeran's front leg but catches the back leg as Futeran tries to avoid it.
Futeran misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Blaydes.
Futeran shoots in for a takedown but Blaydes shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Blaydes connects with a good right hand that stumbles Futeran. Futeran circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Futeran with a jab.
Futeran takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Futeran throws the left hand but Blaydes avoids the punch easily.
Futeran throws a hook but Blaydes avoids it easily.
Blaydes connects with a body shot that sends Futeran's belly button to the back.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Blaydes scores with a kick to the body.
Futeran shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Blaydes pinned against the cage. Blaydes gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joseph Futeran. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blaydes connects with a nice looking jab.
Blaydes lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Futeran closes the distance and clinches up with Blaydes, looking for a takedown. Futeran pushes Blaydes against the cage but Blaydes circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Blaydes with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Blaydes dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Futeran.
Futeran swinging wildly here.
A jab from Blaydes does it's job there.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Futeran takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Futeran on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Blaydes. Blaydes obviously looking to wear him down.
Futeran throws a big shot that misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Futeran. Blaydes does a little dance to reset his feet.
Oscar Blaydes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Futeran throws a jab when Blaydes was well out of range.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Oscar Blaydes showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Futeran lands with a hook. Blaydes tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Blaydes scores with a crisp jab that stopped Futeran in his tracks.
Blaydes misses with an uppercut.
Blaydes throws a body shot but no joy.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Futeran tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Blaydes defends well and Futeran ends up having to push Blaydes into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Blaydes tries to throw a body punch but Futeran avoids it by throwing Blaydes back against the cage.
Futeran using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Blaydes has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Futeran misses with a punch on the inside.
Blaydes gets through Futeran's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

Blaydes pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Blaydes throws out a loose jab but Futeran uses good head movement to avoid it.
Blaydes has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Futeran just misses with a punch to the body.
Blaydes tries a quick counter leg kick but Futeran is wise to it.
Futeran lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Blaydes misses the shot to the body.
A jab lands there for Blaydes.
Donk. Blaydes catches Futeran right on the button with a cross.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Futeran misses with a looping right.
A jab from Futeran misses.
Futeran waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Blaydes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blaydes missing with a left hand there. Futeran was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Futeran tries to bum rush Blaydes with a series of wild strikes but Blaydes uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Futeran misses the jab.
Futeran has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Futeran there as he acknowledges the shot.
Blaydes ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Futeran moves away.
Futeran moves out of range of the strikes.
Nice sprawl there from Blaydes as Futeran shoots in.
Futeran takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Futeran shoots in looking for a takedown. Blaydes tries to sprawl out of it but Futeran keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Blaydes manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joseph Futeran. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Futeran shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Blaydes tries to close the distance and clinch but Futeran swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Futeran has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Blaydes.
Futeran tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Blaydes defends well and Futeran ends up having to push Blaydes into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Blaydes breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Blaydes throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Blaydes tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Futeran manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A jab from Blaydes misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Futeran. Blaydes does a little dance to reset his feet.
It seemed like Blaydes was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Futeran fails with a takedown attempt.
Futeran on the wrong end of a nice hook.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Futeran tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Blaydes swivels and escapes.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Blaydes looks to score with a jab to the body but Futeran is just out of range.
Futeran changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Blaydes tries to clinch up but Futeran circles away and keeps his distance.
Blaydes tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Blaydes throws a nice outside leg kick.
Blaydes fakes the leg kick and cracks Futeran in the body.
Futeran takes a swing at Blaydes's ribcage but misses.
A little jabbing left from Blaydes on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Futeran rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Blaydes moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Futeran scores with a nice strike.
Blaydes uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Futeran.
Futeran takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
A nice leg kick from Blaydes, right into the meat of the thigh.
Blaydes throws a hook but Futeran avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Futeran takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Blaydes uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Futeran has time to react.
Futeran drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Blaydes scoring well with a low kick there.
Blaydes is looking to clinch but Futeran is avoiding it.
Blaydes is looking to clinch.
Futeran gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Blaydes makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Futeran is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Blaydes throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Futeran on the side of the head.
Futeran looks for a takedown but Blaydes sprawls well.
Blaydes throws an overhand right that lands on Futeran's shoulder, as Futeran tries to avoid the shot.
Nice sprawl there from Blaydes as Futeran shoots in.
Futeran misses with an uppercut. Blaydes saw that one coming.
Blaydes tests Futeran's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Futeran uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Blaydes.
A low kick from Futeran misses
and Blaydes counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Futeran shoots for a takedown but Blaydes saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Blaydes throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

Blaydes has closed the distance and engaged Futeran in a clinch.
Blaydes lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Futeran doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Blaydes.
Oscar Blaydes seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Blaydes pushes Futeran back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Blaydes lands with a right to the head.
Blaydes lands a body shot in the clinch.
Blaydes lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Blaydes goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A head punch on the inside from Futeran fails to land.
Blaydes tries to work over Futeran's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Futeran swings wildly with an uppercut but Blaydes uses good head movement to avoid it.
Futeran misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Blaydes blocks an uppercut.
Futeran struggles to land a body shot inside as Blaydes controls his hands.

And that's the end of the fight!
Oscar Blaydes comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Blaydes has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Gold scores the fight 28:29
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 28:29

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