PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Junk Dog (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Richard Blackmore (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Richard Blackmore 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!

Dog
vs
Blackmore

198 cm
22
275 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

193 cm
22
267 lbs
4 - 6 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Junk Dog!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Richard Blackmore!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Daniel Franklin and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dog showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Blackmore.
Blackmore throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Dog fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Blackmore sprawls well initially but Dog persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dog is taking a breather. Blackmore says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

Dog decides to stand up.

Dog shoots in and bounces Blackmore off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Dog has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Blackmore is trying to keep Dog in close.

Dog got a little sloppy there for a moment and Blackmore has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Dog has managed to get both his arms back between Blackmore's legs - danger averted.
Dog wanted to stand there but Blackmore had control of the position.
Blackmore avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Dog stands up from Blackmore's guard - Dog perhaps looking for a knockout.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Blackmore gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Dog postures up in Blackmore's guard and throws a big left but Blackmore blocks it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dog wants to get up but he can't break Blackmore's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Blackmore is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Blackmore looks gassed!
Dog trying to control the position from guard on top but Blackmore is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Blackmore trying to control the position.
Dog wanted to stand there but Blackmore had control of the position.
Dog trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dog would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Blackmore striking off his back, scoring a few points.
Blackmore trying to control the position.

Dog gets to his feet. Blackmore looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Blackmore is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Blackmore lands a nice leg kick that just misses Dog's sensitive parts.
Dog will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Dog takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Dog avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Blackmore takes the fight into the clinch.
Blackmore is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Dog is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Blackmore pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Blackmore breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Blackmore is looking to clinch.
Blackmore closes the distance and clinches up with Dog, looking for a takedown. Blackmore pushes Dog against the cage but Dog circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Blackmore tries to clinch but Dog moves out of range.
Blackmore closes this distance looking for a takedown but Dog circles away.
Blackmore tries to close the distance and clinch but Dog swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nice sprawl there from Dog as Blackmore shoots in.
Junk Dog has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Richard Blackmore.
Dog works over Blackmore's head and body with a nice combination.
Blackmore dodges the punch combination from Dog.
Blackmore tries to close the distance and clinch but Dog swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Dog keeps the fight on the outside.
A punch combination from Dog misses.
Dog throws a left and a right that both miss
and Blackmore cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blackmore tries to close the distance and clinch up but Dog swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Blackmore wants to clinch up but Dog keeps it at a distance.
Blackmore shoots in for a takedown but Dog shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Blackmore dodges the punch combination from Dog.
A slapping leg kick lands for Blackmore.
Blackmore buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Dog will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Dog is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Blackmore's half guard.
Dog not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Blackmore is looking to escape.
Blackmore is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Dog scores with a couple of nice shots.
Dog wants to stand but Blackmore has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Blackmore is pressing down on Dog's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Junk Dog dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Dog looks to land a combination but Blackmore avoids it well.
Blackmore tries to clinch up but Dog circles away and keeps his distance.

Dog shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Blackmore is trying to stand back up but Dog is controlling him
Blackmore is pressing down on Dog's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Dog tries to stand but Blackmore is controlling from the bottom.
Blackmore avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Blackmore is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Dog throws and elbow that misses. Blackmore uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Dog's guard. Nice move by Blackmore!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Blackmore has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Dog is proving hard to escape from.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dog lands a couple of decent looking body shots there.
Blackmore stops Dog from standing up.
Dog looking for a sweep. Not yet Dog, not yet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Blackmore shoots in but Dog avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Blackmore fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Junk Dog is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Dog lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Blackmore circles away quickly and effectively.
Dog throws a right and a left that both miss.
Blackmore stalks Dog and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Dog's face. Dog staggers backwards, shaken.
Dog tries to clinch but Blackmore is having none of it.
Dog swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Blackmore counters with a nice leg kick.
Blackmore swats away the attempt to clinch by Dog.
Dog displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Blackmore.
Junk Dog has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Richard Blackmore.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Blackmore fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Blackmore slips a jab from Dog.
Blackmore throws a right and a left that Dog avoids nicely.

Dog looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Dog wants to stand but Blackmore is controlling his posture from full guard.
Dog knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Blackmore on the ground.
Dog throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Blackmore works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Dog trying to control but Blackmore is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dog thows a big elbow that misses.
Blackmore controls Dog momentarily but Dog frees himself.
Dog wants to stand but Blackmore is controlling his posture from full guard.
Blackmore is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Blackmore uses his free foot to push down on Dog's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Dog.
Blackmore can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Dog is looking to escape.
Dog throwing hammer fists to the chest of Blackmore. What's that going to do exactly?

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.
Dog really wants to buck Blackmore off and get back to his feet.
Blackmore looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Blackmore lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Blackmore lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Dog hang on?
Blackmore putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Dog is wriggling around trying to escape.
Dog on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Dog tries to get out of the position.
Blackmore unloads with some shots from mount but Dog bucks and avoids them well.
Dog is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Dog tries to hold on but Blackmore postures up.
Blackmore wants to control the pace but Dog is squirming around nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Junk Dog will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Dog lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Blackmore circles away quickly and effectively.
Dog throws a shot from downtown. Blackmore moves away and avoids it.
Blackmore ducks under a wild hook from Dog.

Blackmore gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Blackmore tries to pull guard but Dog holds him up against the cage and eventually Blackmore drops back down to his feet.
Blackmore tries for a takedown. No joy.
Dog tries for a takedown. No joy.
Dog prevents the takedown attempt.
Junk Dog has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Richard Blackmore.

Dog escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Blackmore changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Dog tries to avoid it but Blackmore manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Dog to the ground. Dog escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Blackmore avoids a punch combination nicely.
Blackmore tries to clinch but Dog is having none of it.
Dog throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Blackmore counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Blackmore is looking to clinch but Dog is avoiding it.
Dog throws a series of punches but Blackmore avoids them all with ease.
Blackmore looks for a takedown but Dog sprawls well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A left and a right from Dog both land. Nice combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dog tries to clinch but Blackmore moves out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Blackmore looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Blackmore slaps away a takedown attempt from Dog, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Dog tries to clinch there but Blackmore circles away.
Dog defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Blackmore.

Dog closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Dog wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Blackmore has him pressed against the cage.
Dog prevents Blackmore from breaking the clinch.
Dog tries for a takedown but Blackmore manages to get underhooks.
Blackmore drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Dog is trying to break the clinch but Blackmore is controlling him.
Dog changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Blackmore fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Blackmore tries to close the distance and clinch but Dog swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Blackmore darts in and clinches Dog up against the cage.
A short right from Blackmore on the inside.
Dog is trying to break the clinch but Blackmore has him pressed against the cage.
Blackmore is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Blackmore drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Dog can't break the clinch.
Blackmore throws a punch but it's blocked by Dog.
Dog is looking to break free of the clinch but Blackmore has double underhooks.
Dog is trying to force a seperation but Blackmore has the dominant position.
Blackmore tries for a takedown. No joy.
Blackmore tries to land a knee to the head but Dog blocks with his arms.
A nice left hand lands by Dog.
Blackmore tries to pull guard but Dog won't allow it.
Blackmore wants a takedown but no success here.
Blackmore lands a nice shot to the body.
Dog tries for a takedown. No joy.
Blackmore connects with a nasty looking knee right to Dog's face.
Dog working hard to break the clinch.
Blackmore gets underhooks to prevent Dog's takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blackmore drops down looking for an ankle pick but Dog pulls his leg out and moves away.
Blackmore changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Dog tries to avoid it but Blackmore manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Dog to the ground. Dog escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Dog swats away the attempt to clinch by Blackmore.
Dog swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Dog tries to clinch up but Blackmore circles away and keeps his distance.
Blackmore shoots in but no luck this time.
Dog throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Dog throws a nice looking combination but Blackmore bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Blackmore tries to clinch up.
Dog throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Blackmore.
Horrible takedown by Blackmore or perhaps it was just good defense by Dog which made him look bad.
Dog shoots in but no luck this time.
Richard Blackmore has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Blackmore doesn't manage to clinch there - Dog circles away.
Dog scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Blackmore doesn't seem bothered though.
Junk Dog is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Dog shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Blackmore is working to get back to half guard.
Blackmore throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Dog breaks from Blackmore's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Dog trying to control but Blackmore is having none of it.
Blackmore tries to hold on but Dog postures up.
Dog scores with a couple of good head shots there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Junk Dog showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Dog, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 30:28
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Junk Dog!