PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Shigeru Tobla (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brandon Blades (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tobla comes to the cage accompanied by the red jumpsuit apparatus - face down. Brandon Blades 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!

Tobla
vs
Blades

177 cm
21
185 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

182 cm
20
195 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Shigeru Tobla!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Brandon Blades !
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Daniel Franklin and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Blades throws a head kick that misses.
Tobla misses with a low kick.
Blades thows a body kick. Tobla tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Tobla misses with a head kick.

Blades darts in and clinches Tobla up against the cage.
Tobla tries for a takedown. No joy.
Blades gets underhooks to prevent Tobla's takedown attempt.
Tobla tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Blades just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shigeru Tobla. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Tobla breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Tobla avoids the head kick by Blades .
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
No luck for Tobla with that takedown attempt.
Blades scores with a head kick. Tobla tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Tobla is defended easily by Blades .
Blades flicks out a counter leg kick but Tobla steps away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tobla misses with a takedown attempt - Blades sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Blades looks like he wants to counter punch here.

Blades gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Tobla drops down looking for an ankle pick but Blades pulls his leg out and moves away.
Blades throws a head kick that Tobla semi-blocks.
Blades throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Blades thuds his shin into the meat of Tobla's side.

Blades has Tobla up against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tobla jumps guard but Blades stands there with Tobla around his waist. Tobla gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Tobla pulls guard successfully.
Blades engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Blades trying to control but Tobla is working from the bottom.
Tobla wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blades wants to control from the top but Tobla keeps moving.

Blades avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Tobla controls Blades momentarily but Blades frees himself.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Tobla wants to stand and escape but Blades is having none of it.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Blades lands a head kick!
Blades misses with a looping right.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Tobla has his takedown stuffed
and Blades counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Blades lands a high kick!

Blades closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Blades is working for takedown but Tobla is calmly controlling the position for now.
Blades has Tobla pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Tobla manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Blades is trying to pull guard but Tobla turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Blades fails to pull guard.
A right handed body shot lands from Tobla.
Blades tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Tobla pulls guard.
Tobla looking for a sweep. Not yet Tobla, not yet.
Tobla is trying to keep Blades in close.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Tobla shoots in but Blades avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Blades is looking to slow Tobla down with leg kicks.

Blades has closed the distance and engaged Tobla in a clinch.
Blades jumps guard but Tobla turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Blades can't get the takedown.

Tobla's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Tobla tries for a takedown but Blades sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tobla has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shigeru Tobla. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tobla tries for a takedown but Blades circles away easily
and Blades counters with a nice uppercut.
Brandon Blades seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tobla shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Blades but Blades pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Blades throws a nice outside leg kick.
Shigeru Tobla is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Blades scores with a head kick. Tobla tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Blades has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Tobla shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Blades as he avoids it easily.
Tobla shoots for a takedown but Blades saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Blades goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Blades lands with a slapping head kick.
Tobla throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Blades counters with a good low kick that Tobla was not able to check.
Blades lands a head kick. Tobla smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Blades throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Tobla's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tobla takes a kick to the side of the head.
Blades lands with a kick to the temple. Tobla shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Tobla closes this distance looking for a takedown but Blades circles away.
Blades throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Tobla's head.
Tobla throws a head kick that misses.
Blades misses with a head kick.
Tobla looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.

Blades clinches with his opponent.
Tobla goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Tobla changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Blades fights it off and pushes away nicely.
A head kick from Blades lands but Tobla takes it in his stride.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blades thuds his shin into the meat of Tobla's side.
Blades delivers a nice body kick.
Tobla on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Blades lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Blades lands with a nice body kick.
Blades moves in looking to clinch but Tobla pushes him off.
Blades lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Blades tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Tobla misses with a takedown attempt
and Blades counters with a low kick, right behind Tobla 's knee.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tobla gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Blades tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Blades tries to pull guard but Tobla forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Blades has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Tobla avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Tobla has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Blades uses from the top position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tobla will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.

Tobla is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Blades is aware though and is defending well.
Tobla wants to sweep here but Blades controlling him for the moment.
Blades is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Blades trying to stand up but can't free himself from Tobla's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brandon Blades 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. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Tobla gets a clinch.

Blades jumps guard.
Tobla throwing strikes but missing.
Tobla trying to control the position from guard on top but Blades is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tobla not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Blades trying to keep a closed guard but Tobla is proving a slippery customer.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tobla tries to free his leg and advance position but Blades is retaining full guard.
Blades is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Tobla throwing strikes but missing.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Brandon Blades is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Blades lands with a slapping head kick.
Tobla fails with the takedown
and Blades counters with a thumping low kick.
Tobla throws a leg kick

and Blades counters by moving into the clinch.
Tobla tries to pull guard but Blades holds him up against the cage and eventually Tobla drops back down to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tobla prevents the takedown attempt.
Tobla prevents the takedown attempt.
Blades takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Blades jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Tobla walks away with a smile on his face. Blades gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Shigeru Tobla has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Brandon Blades .
Tobla throws a sloppy head kick
and Blades counters with a body kick.

Tobla clinches with his opponent.
Blades tries to pull guard but Tobla holds him up against the cage and eventually Blades drops back down to his feet.
Blades is looking for a takedown.
Blades changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Tobla fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Tobla uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Blades .
Tobla shoots in and drives through. Blades sprawls well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blades throws a push kick but Tobla slaps the foot to one side.
A head kick misses from Blades .

Blades tries to keep at a distance but Tobla has taken the fight into the clinch.
Blades tries for a takedown. No joy.

Tobla has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Blades uses from the top position.
Blades trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Tobla is pulling down on Blades 's head. It's preventing any offense from Blades , at least for the moment.
Tobla controls Blades momentarily but Blades frees himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tobla has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Blades can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Tobla has his feet on Blades 's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Tobla fails with the takedown.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Blades feints and then cracks Tobla's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Tobla down.
Shigeru Tobla has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Brandon Blades is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Blades thows a body kick. Tobla tries to catch it but that hurt him.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Brandon Blades .
I've got Blades winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Sandra Marshall scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 28:30
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Brandon Blades !
In defeat, Shigeru Tobla stepped up to the mic, saying 'I need to train harder'.