PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Dai Vernon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rodney Blake (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vernon comes to the cage accompanied by Ari Gold - Let's Hug It Out, BITCH. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Vernon
vs
Blake

184 cm
32
184 lbs
24 - 14 - 0

183 cm
29
179 lbs
15 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Perkele!

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 24 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Dai Vernon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rodney Blake!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Luis Engracia and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vernon throws a leg kick but Blake sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Vernon takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Blake scores with a kick to the body.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Blake.
A big left from Vernon misses.
Vernon tries for a takedown but Blake sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Blake has closed the distance and engaged Vernon in a clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Vernon.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Blake.
Blake swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Vernon misses with a short punch on the inside.
Blake has a couple of punches blocked by Vernon.
Vernon swings wildly with an uppercut but Blake uses good head movement to avoid it.
Vernon throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Vernon misses with some punches.
Vernon has a couple of punches blocked by Blake.
Vernon tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vernon throws a head punch that misses.
Blake misses with a short punch on the inside.
Blake swings away with an uppercut that misses.
The referee is keeping an eye on Vernon - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
A head punch on the inside from Blake fails to land.
Vernon can't find room to land a body shot as Blake controls the action.
Vernon tries to throw a body punch but Blake avoids it by throwing Vernon back against the cage.
Blake gets through Vernon's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Vernon scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Blake swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Vernon tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Vernon goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Vernon misses with a punch to the body.
Blake misses with a punch on the inside.
Vernon is trying to maintain a safe position but Blake gets an underhook and turns Vernon into the cage.
Vernon lands a shoulder strike.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Vernon.
Vernon blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vernon misses with a punch to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Vernon.
Vernon misses with a short punch on the inside.
Blake working aggressively here.
Vernon tries to work over Blake's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Blake makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Vernon lands with a short shot to the head.
Blake swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Blake fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Vernon lands an uppercut.
Vernon misses with a body punch.
Vernon throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Blakes head.
Vernon stalling against the cage.
Blake lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Blake.
Blake fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Blake is trying to break free.
Blake has a couple of punches blocked by Vernon.
Blake working aggressively here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blake lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Vernon throws a punch but it's blocked by Blake.
Vernon misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Blake lands a left hand.
Blake swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Blake misses with some punches.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Blake fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Vernon's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Still in the clinch, Vernon scores with a nice short uppercut.
Nice body punch from Vernon - that landed with a thud.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Vernon has a couple of punches blocked by Blake.
Vernon goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Blake throws a head punch that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vernon misses with a short punch on the inside.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Blake blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Vernon.
Vernon tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Blake throws a head punch that misses.
Vernon lands a body punch.
Vernon can't find room to land a body shot as Blake controls the action.
Nice body punch from Vernon - that landed with a thud.
Vernon swings away with an uppercut that misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Blake.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Vernon.
Vernon stalling in the clinch but Blake improves position.
Blake lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Blake working aggressively here.
Blake lands a shoulder strike.
Vernon blocking some punches.
Blake throws a punch but it's blocked by Vernon.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Rodney Blake will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Blake lands with an uppercut that bounces Vernon off the cage and back into range.
Blake avoids the head kick by Vernon.
Blake throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Blake throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Vernon with a jab.
Blake chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Blake tries to clinch there but Vernon circles away.
Vernon staying out of range there.
Blake scoring well with a low kick there.
Blake jabs at Vernon's body.
Blake connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Vernon momentarily.
Vernon bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Vernon takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vernon misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Blake.
Vernon keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Blake throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Blake throws a hook but Vernon blocks it.
Blake bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Blake slips a straight right by Vernon.
Blake throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Blake pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Blake thows a leg kick but Vernon checks it
and Vernon counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Vernon takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Blake thows a body shot but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blake fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Vernon.
Blake tries to close the distance and clinch up but Vernon swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Vernon.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Vernon.
Nice shot lands for Blake.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Blake is looking to land body kicks.
Blake goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Vernon takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Decent striking displayed by Blake there.
Vernon avoids a kick to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Blake. Vernon does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vernon connects with a nice looking jab.
Blake lands with a kick to the ribs.
Vernon feints and then cracks Blake's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Blake down.
Rodney Blake seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Vernon drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Vernon keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Blake.
Blake fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Vernon manages to avoid it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Blake looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A shot to the body from Blake misses
and Vernon counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Blake misses with a jab, cross combination.
Blake moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Blake thows a body shot but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vernon uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Blake.
Rodney Blake is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Vernon stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Blake.
Blake lunges at Vernon with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Vernon's hand.
Jab by Blake.
Blake throws a nice inside leg kick.
Blake doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Vernon moves out of range as Blake throws a body kick.
Blake throws a lazy uppercut

and Vernon counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Vernon is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Vernon is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Blake is just riding it out for now. Vernon eventually gives up the hold.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rodney Blake showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Blake throws a half hearted mid kick.
Nice defenses there by Blake.
A jab from Vernon misses.
Vernon misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Blake.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vernon tries to clinch up.
Blake looks to land a left hand but Vernon moved out of range nicely.
Blake misses with a jab, cross combination.
Blake misses with a jab to the body
and Vernon counters with a series of strikes. Blake will be more careful next time no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blake with a jab.
Rodney Blake seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Blake tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Vernon was well out of range. Poor timing from Blake.
Blake fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Vernon manages to avoid it.
Blake misses with a hook

and Vernon counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Blake keeping full guard, as Vernon tries to pass.
Vernon passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Blake parries the strikes from Vernon easily there. Vernon is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Blake to escape.
Dai Vernon has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vernon is trying to move to mount but Blake reverses beautifully and ends up in Vernon's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Vernon controls Blake momentarily but Blake frees himself.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Vernon looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Blake passes into side control.
Blake is looking to take a break and control but Vernon is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vernon tries to buck Blake off but Blake is having none of it.
Vernon manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Vernon is working for a kimura but Blake is defending it quite comfortably.
Blake works his way to full guard. Good work.
Rodney Blake is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Vernon working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Vernon throws an elbow that misses. Blake uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Vernon's guard. Nice move by Blake!

And that's the end of the fight!
Dai Vernon showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Blake 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 Matheus Silva scores the fight 29:29
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 28:29
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!