PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Blaze (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Linkin Portier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Blaze comes to the cage accompanied by Tupac ft Lil Mo - Niggaz Nature. Linkin Portier has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Blaze
vs
Portier

195 cm
39
147 lbs
48 - 20 - 0

185 cm
32
186 lbs
21 - 13 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Arcticus University: London
Walhalla Clothing + 10 % LAUNDRY

KnockOut

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 48 - 20 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alexander Blaze!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 13 - 1, fighting out of New York, Linkin Portier!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Saam Ante and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Portier tries to clinch but Blaze moves out of range.
Blaze walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Portier looks to score with a jab to the body but Blaze is just out of range.
Portier misses with a double jab.
Blaze thows a left - swing and a miss!
Blaze has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Blaze throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Portier missing with a left hand there. Blaze was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Blaze was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Portier throws a right and a left that Blaze avoids nicely.
Blaze lands with a nice body punch.
Portier closes the distance but Blaze moves to the side
and Blaze counters with a series of strikes. Portier will be more careful next time no doubt.
Blaze lands with an overhand left.

Portier instigates a clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Portier tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Portier lands a left hand that snaps the head of Blaze backwards.
Portier is leaning against Blaze and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Portier lands a nice uppercut.
Blaze really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Portier lands with a light punch inside.
A frustrated look appears on Blaze's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Portier is looking to control Blaze's arms but Blaze gets an underhook and turns him. Now Portier has his back to the cage.

Portier escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Blaze has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Portier.
Linkin Portier seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Portier misses with a lunging right hand
and Blaze counters with a nice uppercut.
Portier misses with a low kick.
Blaze fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Portier manages to avoid it.
Portier drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
No joy there for Portier, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Blaze throws a low kick but Portier avoids it.
Blaze lands with a nice body punch.
Portier wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Blaze lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
The crowd cheers as Portier lands an impressive looking overhand right. Blaze doesn't seem phased though.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Blaze lands a nice looking kick to the body. Portier takes a step back to recover.
A jab from Blaze does it's job there.
Blaze lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Nice cross by Portier.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Portier connects with a high kick.

Blaze is rocked!
A clash of legs there as Portier blocks the low kick.
Blaze pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Good work by Portier as he checks the leg kick.
Portier throws a jab but it's blocked by Blaze.
Blaze is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Portier misses with the combination.
Portier takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Portier misses with the combination.
Portier misses with a looping left.
Blaze circles away from the clinch attempt
and Blaze counters with a stiff right hand.
Portier dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Portier throws a poor cross that misses
and Blaze counters with a stiff right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Portier lands a nice shot that snaps Blaze's head back.
Blaze misses with a looping right.
Blaze misses with an attempted mid kick.
Portier lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Blaze backs up against the cage.
Oh Blaze is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Portier tries a low kick but Blaze avoids it.
Blaze seems to have got his legs back now.
Portier swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Portier throws a combination that misses
and Blaze counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Blaze lands with a thumping leg kick.
Portier throws a series of punches but Blaze moves out of range.
Blaze looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Portier scores with a jab to the body.
Blaze lands with a right hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Portier scores with the left hand. Blaze knows he should have avoided that one.
Portier lands with a cross.
Portier takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Blaze wants to slow Portier down by chopping away at his legs.
Portier jabs Blaze to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Portier scores with a jab to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Portier throws a leg kick
and Blaze counters with a slapping leg kick.
A jab from Portier does it's job there.
Portier checks a leg kick.
Portier is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Blaze with a body shot.
Blaze tries to land a front kick but Portier steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Portier tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Blaze is able to avoid easily.
Blaze is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Portier jabs Blaze right on the nose. Blaze blinks but takes it well.
Portier fails to land with a series of punches.
A little feinted left hand from Blaze on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Blaze throws a jab but it's blocked by Portier.
Blaze throws a head kick but Portier moves out of range.
Portier lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Blaze is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Blaze's corner calls for a 1-2. Blaze obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Portier takes a kick to the side of the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Blaze fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Portier scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Blaze doesn't seem bothered though.
A good leg kick by Portier.
A punch lands to the side of Portier 's head but he takes it in his stride.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Linkin Portier will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Portier scores with a nice head shot.
Portier fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Blaze manages to avoid it.
Portier takes a swing at Blaze's ribcage but misses.
Portier throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Blaze.
Portier throws a body punch but Blaze moves out of range.
Portier stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Blaze.
Portier lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Blaze slips under a jab from Portier.
Blaze throws a quick inside leg kick.
Blaze misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Portier.
Blaze finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Blaze throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Portier throws a hook but Blaze avoids it easily.
Blaze uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Portier.
Portier tries to clinch but Blaze is having none of it.
A big right from Portier misses.
Blaze misses with an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Portier.
Nice uppercut lands for Portier. That snapped Blaze's head back.
Blaze throws a leg kick but Portier sees it coming and checks it nicely.
A little jabbing left from Portier on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Portier throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Blaze fires out a quick counter leg kick but Portier just manages to avoid it.
Blaze throws out a loose jab but Portier uses good head movement to avoid it.
Portier scores with a jab. Blaze acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Portier throws out a powerful jab.
Portier tries to clinch but Blaze moves out of range.
Blaze throws a jab but it's blocked by Portier.
Blaze displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Portier throws out the jab.
Portier wants to clinch up but Blaze keeps it at a distance.

Portier closes the distance and pushes Blaze back into the cage.
Portier misses with the head strike.
Blaze scores with a shot to the side of Portier's head.
Portier lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Portier breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Portier swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Portier fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Blaze looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Portier misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Blaze.
Blaze slips a straight right by Portier.
Blaze showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Portier.
Portier swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Portier takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Portier tries to clinch but Blaze moves out of range.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Portier closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

Portier closes the distance and clinches.
Portier misses with a hook to the ribs.
Portier tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Portier holding his opponent close, against the cage.

Blaze breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Blaze throws a sloppy head kick and Portier moves out of range easily.
A punch combination from Portier misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Portier scores with a decent looking hook.
Portier throws a hook but Blaze avoids it easily.
Portier punishes Blaze's body with a nice straight punch.
Portier pivots, looking for a leg kick but Blaze is out of range and Portier settles back down.
A looping hook to the body misses from Blaze. Portier does a little dance to reset his feet.
A combination from Portier does no damage.
Portier throws out a powerful jab.
A swing and a miss from Blaze.
Portier throws a one two combo.
Portier tries to clinch up
and Blaze counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Blaze ducks under a wild hook from Portier.
Blaze wants to slow Portier down by chopping away at his legs.
Portier cracks Blaze with an open hand slap.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Blaze moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Portier takes one to the side of the head.
Blaze fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Portier is out of range.
Portier misses with the combination.
Portier keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Portier lands a glancing blow to the side of Blaze's head.
Portier displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Blaze throws out the jab.
Portier looks to land a body kick but Blaze moved away.
Blaze connects with a body shot that sends Portier's belly button to the back.
Blaze throws a head kick that misses.
Blaze avoids the body shot from Portier.
Portier throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Linkin Portier is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Portier defending well as Blaze loads up on a big left hand.
Nice shot by Blaze.
Portier dips to his left and cracks Blaze with an uppercut!
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A jab from Portier does it's job there.
A lazy left from Portier finds it's target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Linkin Portier showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Portier lands with a shot to the body.
Blaze ducks under a wild hook from Portier.
Blaze throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Portier darts in trying to clinch
and Blaze counters with a right hand to the body.
Portier misses with a wild combination.
Portier uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Blaze.
Portier connects with a jab.
Blaze misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Portier.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Portier jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
No joy there for Portier, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Linkin Portier seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Blaze fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Portier has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Portier throws a right hand that Blaze ducks under and follows up with a left that Blaze also avoids with ease.
Blaze throwing a counter right hand but Portier manages to avoid it.
Portier has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Blaze scores with a decent looking hook.
Portier misses with the combination.
Blaze swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jab from Portier.
Portier blocks a jab.
Portier is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Blaze fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Portier manages to avoid it.
Blaze throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Portier stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Blaze misses with an uppercut.
Blaze uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Portier.
Blaze throws a hook but Portier avoids it easily.
Portier wants to counter the offense by Blaze and move into the clinch position.
Portier throws the left hand but Blaze avoids the punch easily.
Blaze swinging wildly here.
Portier lands a slapping body shot.
Portier misses with a wild combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Portier lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Portier is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Portier takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Some bone on bone action there as Portier checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Portier lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Blaze at a distance.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Portier misses with a hook.
Portier fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Blaze ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Portier moves away.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Portier checks a leg kick.
Portier misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Blaze connects with a single shot there.
Blaze dodges the punch combination from Portier.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Portier tries to clinch there but Blaze circles away.
A little feinted left hand from Blaze on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Portier has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Portier connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Portier throws a leg kick but Blaze moved away.

Blaze gets tackled into the cage by Portier. Portier maintains the clinch.
Blaze lands a right hand.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

Blaze manages to break the clinch.
Blaze is looking to slow Portier down with leg kicks.
Portier is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A shot to the liver by Blaze. Beautiful body shot.
Portier looks to land a combination but Blaze avoids it well.
Portier takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Portier misses with a double jab.
A nice inside leg kick there by Blaze. That's going to slow Portier down.
Blaze misses with a double jab.
A nice inside leg kick there by Blaze. That's going to slow Portier down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Portier swings for the body but Blaze moves out of range.
Portier keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Blaze throws a leg kick but Portier sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Portier scores with a nice strike.
Portier feints and then cracks Blaze's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Blaze down.
Blaze blocks a jab.
Portier moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Portier chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Blaze can pounce on him.
Portier throws a poor cross that misses
and Blaze counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Portier thinking.
Portier throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Blaze throwing a counter right hand but Portier manages to avoid it.
Crunch! Blaze slams his shin into Portier's torso.
Portier looks to throw the jab but Blaze is out of range.

Portier closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Blaze digs a right hand underneath Portier's ribcage. Portier let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Portier throws a head punch that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Linkin Portier just about did enough to take it.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Blaze swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Portier throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Portier throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Blaze counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Portier tries to close the distance and clinch but Blaze swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Blaze scores with a push kick.
Portier cracks the inside of Blaze's front leg.
A combination from Blaze does no damage.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Portier.
Blaze tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Portier throws a combination that misses
and Blaze counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Blaze swings away with a leg kick that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Portier ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Blaze tries to score with a low kick but Portier moves his leg out of the way.
Portier slips under a jab from Blaze.
A punch combination from Portier misses.
Blaze has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Blaze there as he acknowledges the shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blaze moves out of range of the leg kick from Portier.
Portier throws a series of strikes that have Blaze backpedaling.
Portier gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Blaze counters with a nice leg kick.
Portier is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Blaze bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Nice shot lands for Portier.
Blaze misses with a low kick.
Portier throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Blaze makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Blaze lands with a shot to the body.
Portier throws a series of punches but Blaze moves out of range.
Portier tries to bum rush Blaze with a series of wild strikes but Blaze uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Blaze defending well as Portier loads up on a big left hand.
A slapping leg kick lands for Blaze.
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!
Blaze walks into a stiff left hand from Portier.
Blaze scores with a leg kick.
Blaze is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Portier.
Portier has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Blaze.
Blaze jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blaze turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Portier scores with a jab to the jaw.
Portier is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
It looked like Blaze was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Portier.

Portier drives through and clinches with Blaze against the cage.
Portier trying to stall but Blaze improves his position.

Portier breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A leg kick checked by Blaze.
Portier misses with a wild combination.
Blaze uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Portier.
Blaze slips a jab from Portier.
Portier tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Blaze paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Portier slips a jab from Blaze.
Portier scores with a punch to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Portier looks to land a left hand but Blaze moved out of range nicely.
Blaze lands a slapping body shot.
Blaze fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Portier throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Blaze counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Blaze moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Blaze jabs at Portier's body.
Portier misses with a few strikes there.
Blaze is looking to slow Portier down with leg kicks.
Blaze just misses with a punch to the body.
Blaze lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Portier tries to bum rush Blaze with a series of wild strikes but Blaze uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Blaze scores with a push kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Blaze.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Portier blocks a low kick nicely.
Portier looks to clinch
and Blaze counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Portier throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Blaze.
Blaze keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Blaze swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.

Portier has managed to clinch.
A shot in the inside from Blaze.

Blaze breaks the clinch.
Portier wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Blaze will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Portier throws out a loose jab but Blaze uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nice jab there from Blaze.
A good leg kick by Blaze.
Nice defenses there by Blaze.
Portier looks to score with a jab to the body but Blaze is just out of range.
Portier misses the body punch
and Blaze counters with a low kick, right behind Portier 's knee.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Portier gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Portier swings wildly with an uppercut but Blaze uses good head movement to avoid it.
Blaze misses with a body punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Alexander Blaze will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Portier walks into a left hand.
Portier is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
A cross from Blaze lands.
Portier tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Portier fails with an attempt to clinch.
Portier's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
A jab from Portier misses.
Portier misses with a series of wild punches.
Portier throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Blaze counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Portier misses with a right hand
and Blaze counters with a left to the body.
Portier scores with a body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Portier is looking to clinch.
Portier misses with a looping right.
Blaze swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Blaze scores with a spinning back kick!
Portier thuds a left hand into Blaze's body.
Portier is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Portier avoids the body shot from Blaze.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Portier looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Portier drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Portier scores with a jab.
Portier swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Blaze counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Blaze throws a leg kick which misses Portier's front leg but catches the back leg as Portier tries to avoid it.
Portier misses with a two punch combination.
Blaze dodges the punch combination from Portier.
Blaze misses with an uppercut.
Blaze lands with a hook. Portier tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

Portier clinches up with Blaze and pushes him back against the cage.
A right hand to the body from Blaze.
Blaze misses with a punch on the inside.
Blaze tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Blaze digs a right hand underneath Portier's ribcage. Portier let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A right handed body shot lands from Portier.
Alexander Blaze has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Blaze escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Portier fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Blaze connects with a single shot there.
Portier stuns Blaze with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Portier throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Blaze.
Blaze throws a big counter combination but Portier scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Portier bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Blaze's head.
Portier throws a hook to the side of Blaze's head but Blaze sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Jab from Portier.
Blaze throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Portier wants to clinch up but Blaze keeps it at a distance.
Portier scores with a leg kick.
Blaze shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Blaze tries a low kick but Portier avoids it.
Blaze takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Portier punishes Blaze's body with a nice straight punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blaze takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Blaze fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Portier manages to avoid it.
Blaze dips to his left and cracks Portier with an uppercut!
Blaze swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Portier steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Blaze.
Portier throws a combination that misses
and Blaze counters with a good low kick that Portier was not able to check.
Portier misses with a jab to the body
and Blaze connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Portier throws a right and a left that both miss.
Portier has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Blaze finds it's way round the side to connect with Portier's head.
Blaze missing with a left hand there. Portier was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Portier checks a leg kick.
Portier is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Blaze blocks a jab.
A looping hook to the body misses from Portier. Blaze does a little dance to reset his feet.
Portier uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Blaze has time to react.
Blaze avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blaze throws a body punch but Portier moves out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Portier throws a big shot that misses.
Portier stuns Blaze with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Blaze lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Portier checks a low kick from Blaze.
Sloppy strikes from Blaze. Those never looked like landing.
A big right from Portier misses.
Blaze paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Blaze's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Portier connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Blaze scrambles back to his feet.
Blaze lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Portier scores with a leg kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Portier connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Portier looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Portier misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
The fighters circling - Portier throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Linkin Portier.
Well Portier has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Albert Achterberg scores the fight 48:47
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 48:48
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 47:49

The fight is ruled a draw!
Alexander Blaze retains his title. It's always disappointing when a championship fight ends as a draw but that's what happens when you leave the fight in the judges hands!