PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mike Blake (ranked 6638 p4p, 632 weight class) and Andre Houdini (ranked 6517 p4p, 0 weight class). Andre Houdini will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Blake
vs
Houdini

185 cm
20
265 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

209 cm
20
275 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Likes musicals

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mike Blake!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Andre Houdini!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Shigeki Sano and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Houdini decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Houdini connects with a nice short shot to Blake's temple.
Houdini working the head and body with strikes.
Houdini scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Houdini prevents Blake from standing back up.
Blake trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Houdini thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Blake is trying to stand up here but Houdini is controlling him well.
Houdini winds up and cracks Blake with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Houdini throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Blake keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Houdini tries to pass the half guard into mount. Blake knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Blake is trying to stand.
Blake has hold of Houdini's hands but Houdini slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Blake is looking to escape.
Houdini has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Houdini looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Houdini not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Houdini stops Blake from getting back to his feet.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Houdini connects with a nice short shot to Blake's temple.
Houdini stops Blake from getting back to his feet.
Houdini sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Blake defending well though.
Houdini is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Blake pushes Houdini off looking to stand but Houdini dives back in and keeps control.
Houdini lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Blake wants to get back to his feet.
Blake could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Blake is staying active underneath Houdini, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Houdini thows a huge punch but Blake dodges it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Houdini winds up and cracks Blake with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Houdini lands a nice short elbow.
Houdini throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Houdini sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Blake defending well though.
Blake is trying to stand back up but Houdini is controlling him
Blake has hold of Houdini's hands but Houdini slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Houdini landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Blake is trying to stand up here but Houdini is controlling him well.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Houdini connects with a nice short shot to Blake's temple.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Blake is breathing heavily.
Houdini landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Houdini stops Blake from getting back to his feet.
Blake is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Houdini scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blake wants to get back to his feet.
Houdini winds up and cracks Blake with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Houdini is looking to advance position but Blake won't allow it.
Ground and pound from Houdini.
Houdini lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Ground and pound from Houdini.
Houdini slips a nice elbow through Blake's hands, connecting with Blake's forehead.
Houdini slips a nice elbow through Blake's hands, connecting with Blake's forehead.
Houdini is trying to control. Blake wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Blake manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Blake tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Houdini was well out of range. Poor timing from Blake.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blake jabs Houdini to the body, keeping him at a distance.
A combination from Blake does no damage.
Houdini thows a left - swing and a miss!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Houdini waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Blake.

Houdini shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Houdini showed some decent athleticism there.
Houdini landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Blake is trying to stand.
Houdini is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Houdini throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Houdini not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Houdini winds up and cracks Blake with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Houdini connects with a nice short shot to Blake's temple.
Blake pushes Houdini off looking to stand but Houdini dives back in and keeps control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andre Houdini dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Houdini manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Blake on his heels. He'll look to pass Blake's guard now, I'm sure.
Houdini distracts Blake with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Houdini makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Blake wants to stand and escape but Houdini is having none of it.

Blake has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Houdini is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.

Houdini breaks from the clinch.
Blake throws a nice looking combination but Houdini bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Houdini takes a swing at Blake's ribcage but misses.
Houdini lands the left hand.
Houdini takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Blake throws a right hand that Houdini ducks under and follows up with a left that Houdini also avoids with ease.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Houdini avoids the body shot from Blake.
Blake staying out of range there.
Blake misses with a wild body shot.
Blake just misses with a punch to the body.
Houdini looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Blake slips under a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blake misses with a body shot.
Blake fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Houdini manages to avoid it.
Blake swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Mike Blake is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Houdini takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

Houdini gets the takedown into side control.
Houdini working the head and body with strikes.
Houdini tries to score with some ground and pound. Blake controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Houdini working the head and body with strikes.
Blake is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Houdini has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Houdini working the head and body with strikes.
Blake is not content to let Houdini control the position.

Houdini looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Houdini scoring with punches and elbows.
Blake on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Houdini in side control, throwing shots but Blake defends.
Blake wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Blake takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Blake is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Houdini asserts his dominance and retains side control.
The strikes coming from Houdini are missing the target in this wave of attacks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blake is trying to buck Houdini off.
Houdini working the body and head with strikes.
Houdini trying to control the action but Blake is working from the bottom.
Blake tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blake wants to get back to his feet.
Houdini punches Blake on the ear.

Houdini is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Blake is defending well though. Houdini let's go of the attempt for now.

Blake defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Houdini's arms.
Blake is trying to stand back up.
Blake covering up well under a barage of strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andre Houdini showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Houdini throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Blake takes a swing at Houdini's ribcage but misses.
Blake tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Houdini was well out of range. Poor timing from Blake.
Blake staying out of range there.
Blake was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Blake misses the shot to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Houdini. Blake does a little dance to reset his feet.
Blake misses with a wild body shot.
Blake looks to score with a jab to the body but Houdini is just out of range.
Blake ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Houdini moves away.
Blake is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Houdini.
Blake misses with a body shot.
Houdini is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Mike Blake is winning the standup battle so far.
Blake takes a swing at Houdini's ribcage but misses.
Blake misses the shot to the body.
A countering left hand to the body from Houdini misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Blake staying out of range there.
Houdini looks to land a left hand but Blake moved out of range nicely.
Houdini looks to land a left hand but Blake moved out of range nicely.
Blake throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Blake throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Blake staying out of range there.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Houdini loads up on a big right hand but Blake slips the punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blake misses with a wild body shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Houdini misses the target.
Houdini avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Houdini dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Blake is looking to wear down Houdini with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Houdini showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Blake.
Blake misses with a series of wild punches.
Blake swings for the body but Houdini moves out of range.
Houdini throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Houdini looks to score with a jab to the body but Blake is just out of range.
Houdini throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Blake appears to be looking for a big counter.
Houdini tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Blake was well out of range. Poor timing from Houdini.
Blake looks to score with a jab to the body but Houdini is just out of range.
Blake misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Houdini.
Houdini has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Houdini throws a quick inside leg kick.
Blake misses with a body shot.
Mike Blake seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Houdini throws an overhand right that lands on Blake's shoulder, as Blake tries to avoid the shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Houdini tries to score with a low kick but Blake moves his leg out of the way.
Sloppy strikes from Blake. Those never looked like landing.
Houdini throws a body punch but Blake moves out of range.
Blake lands a jab to Houdini's midsection.

Houdini throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Blake tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Houdini is in Blake's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Houdini content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Houdini is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Houdini postures up and lands a big shot to Blake's brow.
Blake keeping moving, preventing Houdini from controlling successfully.
Houdini postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Houdini chips away with some ground and pound.
Houdini wants to pass the guard but Blake is keeping the position.
Houdini scoring with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Houdini tries to free his leg and advance position but Blake is retaining full guard.
Houdini throws a big elbow that misses.
Houdini lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Houdini throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Blake works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Blake pushes Houdini off and gets back to his feet.

Houdini closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Houdini seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Blake does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Blake is looking to escape.

Blake has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Houdini is on him like a limpet, forcing Blake back against the cage.

Blake's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Houdini misses with a body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Blake throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Houdini sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Blake lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Houdini at a distance.
Blake throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Blake gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Houdini to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Blake is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Houdini presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Mike Blake has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Blake digs a right hand into Houdini's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Houdini's gas tank.

Blake breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Houdini scores with a head kick.
Blake swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Blake ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Houdini moves away.
Houdini works the jab nicely.
Blake scores with a jab to the body.

Houdini shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Houdini showed some decent athleticism there.

Blake kicks off Houdini and gets to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Blake showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Houdini 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 Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight for Andre Houdini!
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight for Andre Houdini!
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight for Andre Houdini!

Andre Houdini wins by unanimous decision!