PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Carlo Froch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Blake (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Michael Blake is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Froch
vs
Blake

178 cm
22
184 lbs
9 - 0 - 0

175 cm
21
180 lbs
11 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Brawler
Granite chin

//buriedALIVE// Fight Gear
Bad Man Clothing (Nothing Over $40)

VIRAL COMBAT

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Carlo Froch!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Michael Blake!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Steven Brown and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Blake misses with a takedown attempt
and Froch cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Blake on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Blake shoots for a takedown but Froch saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Froch misses the body punch
and Blake counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Froch misses with an uppercut. Blake saw that one coming.
Blake takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Froch swinging wildly here.
Blake's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Froch connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Blake scrambles back to his feet.
Blake takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Carlo Froch seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Froch scores with a punch to the head.
Froch throws the left hand but Blake avoids the punch easily.
Jab, jab by Froch - just one landing.
Froch throws a hook but Blake avoids it easily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Froch lands with a good body shot.
Froch tests Blake's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blake fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Froch avoids it really well and circles away.
Carlo Froch has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Blake.

Blake tries to keep at a distance but Froch has taken the fight into the clinch.
Froch misses with some punches.
Froch misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Froch throws a knee to the head but misses.
Froch landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Blake is trying to pull guard but Froch turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Blake goes for a takedown attempt but Froch pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Froch misses with a looping left.
Froch scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Blake bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blake looks for a takedown but Froch sprawls well.
Froch misses the shot to the body.
Carlo Froch is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Blake shoots in but Froch avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Blake with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Froch to score with a decent uppercut.
Froch throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Blake sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Blake shoots in looking for a takedown. Froch tries to sprawl out of it but Blake keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Froch manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Blake looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Froch is fending him off so far but Blake persists. Nope, Froch circles away and we're back to standing.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Froch catches Blake with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Froch misses with a few strikes there.
We've been told by Froch's head coaches at The Seven Sins Grappling Academy that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.

Froch gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Froch tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Froch tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Froch tries a body shot but Blake blocks it.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Froch creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Blake is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Froch to keep the fight standing.
Froch misses with a hook to the ribs.
Froch throws a knee to the head but misses.
Blake wants a takedown but no success here.
Froch tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Blake changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Froch fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Froch displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Blake.
Nice jab there from Froch.
Horrible takedown attempt by Blake or perhaps it was just good defense by Froch, which made it look bad.
Blake misses with a takedown
and Froch counters with a right hand to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Froch scores with a nice head shot.
Froch throws a shot to the body.
Froch misses with a double jab.
Froch scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Blake shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Froch counters with a three punch combo that has Blake backing up. Blake nods at Froch to acknowledge the strikes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Froch lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Blake throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Froch's waist but Froch gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Blake off to one side.
Blake takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Froch digs a good body shot into Blake's ribs.
Froch lands with a nice body punch.
Froch lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Froch lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

Blake gets tackled into the cage by Froch. Froch maintains the clinch.
Blake drops down looking for an ankle pick but Froch pulls his leg out and moves away.
Blake has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Blake there as he acknowledges the shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Carlo Froch dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Blake has his takedown stuffed
and Froch counters with a right hand to the body.
Froch tests Blake's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Froch lands with a cross.
Froch fails in his attempt to clinch.
Blake shoots and misses
and Froch counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Blake changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Froch tries to avoid it but Blake manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Froch to the ground. Froch escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Carlo Froch has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Blake.
Froch lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Blake backs up against the cage.
Blake steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Froch.
Carlo Froch is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Froch scores with the left hand. Blake knows he should have avoided that one.
Froch throws a series of punches but Blake moves out of range.
Froch throws a nice looking combination but Blake bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Froch scores with a three punch combo!
Blake looks for a takedown but Froch sprawls well.
Blake moves forwards but Froch connects with a nice, crisp jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blake shoots and misses
letting Froch counter with a right hand.
Froch dips to his left and cracks Blake with an uppercut!
Blake shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Froch but Froch pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Blake is breathing heavily.

Froch clinches up against the cage.
Blake fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Froch throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Blake blocks it with crossed arms.
Froch swings wildly with an uppercut but Blake uses good head movement to avoid it.
Froch throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Blakes head.
Blake has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Froch.
Froch scores with a nice hook to the head.
Froch throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Blake blocks it with crossed arms.
Froch lands a nice uppercut.
Froch lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blake tries for a takedown. No joy.

Blake gets control of Froch's arms and successfully pulls guard. Blake will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Froch working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Blake's head.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Froch stands up over Blake, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Blake looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Froch puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Blake is looking for a sweep. Froch is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Froch tries to pass the half guard into mount. Blake knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
The fighters are battling for position here. Blake manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Froch postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Froch trying to control but Blake is working from the bottom.
Our spies down at at Allstars MMA inform us that Blake has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Froch trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Froch postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Froch working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Blake's head.
Froch stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Blake swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Froch with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Froch avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Froch in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Froch with a flurry of punches that miss.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Froch engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Froch trying to control the position from guard on top but Blake is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Froch slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Blake is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Froch is aware though and is defending well.
Froch is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blake keeping moving, preventing Froch from controlling successfully.
Froch content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Blake working for a triangle but Froch defends it easily.
Froch tries to free his leg and advance position but Blake is retaining full guard.
Froch pushing down on Blake's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Froch is working for a kimura but Blake is defending it quite comfortably.
Froch wants to lay and pray for a moment but Blake keeps working.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Froch trying to pass the guard but Blake defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Carlo Froch dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Blake fails to land the takedown.
Blake takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Froch fails with an attempt to clinch.
Froch lands a nice looking body shot.
Froch lands a nice looking body shot.
Froch tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Blake manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Blake gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Froch cracks Blake with a good jab.
Carlo Froch is winning the standup battle so far.
Blake on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Blake shoots in for a double leg but Froch sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Froch bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Blake's head.
Froch punishes Blake's body with a nice straight punch.
Froch misses with a hook. Blake ducked under it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Froch connects with a looping right hand.
Froch throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Blake.
Nice jab there from Froch.
Blake moves out of range of the strikes.
Blake shoots for a takedown but Froch saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Carlo Froch has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Blake.
Blake takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Froch dips to his left and cracks Blake with an uppercut!
Blake uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Froch.
Blake shoots in looking for a takedown. Froch tries to sprawl out of it but Blake keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Froch manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Blake takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Froch listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

Froch has Blake up against the cage in a clinch.
Blake jumps guard but Froch stands there with Blake around his waist. Blake gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Froch swings wildly with an uppercut but Blake uses good head movement to avoid it.
Blake has Froch pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Froch manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Froch tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Froch misses with a hook from the clinch.
Froch swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A knee to the head by Froch.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Froch lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Blake or not.
Froch unloads a knee to the mid-section. Blake lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Froch with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

It looks like Michael Blake has been cut.
Froch lands a left hand.
Froch lands with a short shot to the head.
Carlo Froch has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Blake is trying to drag Froch to the mat but Froch just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Froch misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Froch with a knee to the head.
Froch tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Froch working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Froch swings wildly with an uppercut but Blake uses good head movement to avoid it.
Froch gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Blake.
Froch throws a head punch that misses.
Froch stops a takedown attempt from Blake.
Blake is looking for a takedown.
Froch misses with a knee to the head.
Blake tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Froch just stands there and leans against the cage.
Froch crunches a lovely knee into Blake's ribcage.
A short uppercut from Froch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Froch tries to land a knee to the head but Blake blocks with his arms.
Blake jumps guard but Froch turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Blake is trying to pull guard but Froch turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Blake tries to pull guard but Froch won't allow it.

Blake has picked Froch up - he's going for a ride! Blake dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Froch is positioning himself well to prevent Blake advancing to mount.
Froch wants to get back to full guard.
Blake not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Froch is looking to improve his position.
Froch keeping hold of Blake's head, controlling as best he can.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Blake prevents Froch from standing back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Carlo Froch clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Michael Blake's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Jab from Froch.
The crowd cheers as Froch lands an impressive looking overhand right. Blake doesn't seem phased though.
The fighters circle momentarily. Froch darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Froch misses the jab.
Froch throws a right hand that Blake ducks under and follows up with a left that Blake also avoids with ease.
Froch is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Blake can do to turn this around?
Froch throws a body punch but Blake moves out of range.
Blake walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Blake shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Froch defends it nicely.
Blake shoots in for a takedown but Froch shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Blake looks for a takedown but Froch sprawls well.
Carlo Froch has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Blake.
Blake is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Good shot there by Froch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Froch fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Froch is looking to clinch.
Blake doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Froch counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Froch fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Froch throws a big shot that misses.
Froch lands with a nice body punch.
Blake has a takedown stuffed.
Froch lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Blake at a distance.
Blake walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Blake avoids the body shot from Froch.
Froch throws a nice looking combination but Blake bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Blake shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Froch sprawls well. Froch wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Blake gets slowly back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Froch gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Froch misses with a punch to the body.
Froch lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Froch fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Froch using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Blake has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Froch scores with a shot to the side of Blake's head.
Blake goes for a takedown attempt but Froch pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Blake dives in and grabs Froch's left leg, looking for a takedown. Froch pushes down on Blake's head and hops out.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Froch throws a nice looking combination but Blake bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Froch misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Froch lunges at Blake with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Blake's hand.
Blake fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Blake on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Blake fails with the takedown.
Blake takes one to the chin there.
Blake takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Blake is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Blake takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Froch jabs Blake right on the nose. Blake blinks but takes it well.
Froch lands with a good body shot.
Blake misses with a takedown attempt - Froch sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Froch connects with a right hand. Blake shakes it off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blake fails to land the takedown.
Blake looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Froch is fending him off so far but Blake persists. Nope, Froch circles away and we're back to standing.
Froch lands a right hook to the body.
Blake looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Blake has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Froch finds it's way round the side to connect with Blake's head.
Froch scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Froch takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Froch throws a jab when Blake was well out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Froch misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Blake.
Froch misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Blake shoots for a double leg takedown but Froch sprawls well. He's pushed Blake's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Carlo Froch had his way with Michael Blake in that round.
The cut man is working on Michael Blake's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Blake shoots and misses
and Froch counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Froch lands with an uppercut that bounces Blake off the cage and back into range.
Froch cracks a nice hook into Blake's ribs.
Blake ducks under a wild hook from Froch.
Froch cracks Blake with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Froch looks to land a combination but Blake avoids it well.
Blake has a takedown stuffed.
Froch dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Froch cracks a nice hook into Blake's ribs.
Froch missing with a left hand there. Blake was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Blake misses with a takedown attempt
and Blake takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Carlo Froch has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Blake.
Froch smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Froch lands with a cross.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Froch throws a one two combo.
Froch scores with a hook to the body. Blake takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Blake fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Froch avoids it really well and circles away.
Blake is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Froch displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Blake.
Blake needs to keep his hands up - Froch had a free shot at his head there.
Froch fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Blake manages to avoid it.
Froch fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Blake with a lazy takedown attempt
and Froch makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Blake has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

Blake drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Froch is looking to stand up but Blake isn't so interested in that idea.

Blake got a little sloppy there for a moment and Froch has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Blake has managed to get both his arms back between Froch's legs - danger averted.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Blake trying to control but Froch is working from the bottom.
Froch not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Froch looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Blake with a flurry of punches that miss.

Blake drops back looking for a leg! Froch is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Froch manages to kick Blake off! Blake jumps back into Froch's guard.
Froch has his hands on Blake's head, controlling the position.
Carlo Froch overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blake stopping the sweep attempt from Froch.
Blake makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Blake drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Blake jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Froch controlling Blake's posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Froch working a defensive guard here.
Blake content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Blake wants to control from the top but Froch keeps moving.
Blake postures up and lands a big shot to Froch's brow.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Froch looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Blake with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Blake postures up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Blake postures up in Froch's guard and throws a big left but Froch blocks it.

Blake got a little sloppy there for a moment and Froch has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Blake has managed to get both his arms back between Froch's legs - danger averted.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Blake accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Carlo Froch.
Well Froch 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 50:46
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 50:45
Judge James Glass scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Carlo Froch!
Carlo Froch retains his welterweight title!
After winning the bout, Carlo Froch thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.