PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rupert Blasts (ranked 327 p4p, 43 weight class) and Michael Cole (ranked 237 p4p, 29 weight class). Cole has chosen I Won't Back Down as his entrance music. Rupert Blasts could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Michael Cole's chin.

Blasts
vs
Cole

185 cm
36
193 lbs
26 - 10 - 1

175 cm
29
200 lbs
23 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

BuriedAlive// Fight Gear

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 26 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rupert Blasts!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Michael Cole!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Don Winkell and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Good work by Cole as he checks the leg kick.
It seemed like Cole was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Blasts just misses with a punch to the body.
Blasts lands the left hand.
Blasts dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Cole. That did some damage!
Cole checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Cole has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Jab from Blasts.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Blasts.
Blasts scores with a hook.
Blasts scores with the left hand. Cole knows he should have avoided that one.
Blasts throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Cole counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Blasts thinking.
Blasts throws a jab when Cole was well out of range.
Cole's jab looks to have found its range, popping Blasts under the eye.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Blasts lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Blasts is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Cole takes a swing at Blasts's ribcage but misses.
Cole checks a leg kick.
Blasts misses with a low kick as Cole jumps back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cole throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Blasts.
Cole shoots for a double leg takedown but Blasts sprawls well. He's pushed Cole's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Cole defending well as Blasts loads up on a big left hand.
Cole looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Blasts turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Cole fails in his attempt to clinch.
Blasts wants to slow Cole down by chopping away at his legs.
Cole keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Cole tries to clinch there but Blasts circles away.
Blasts waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Cole.
Cole feints a counter leg kick.
Cole scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Blasts motions for Cole to come forward. Blasts throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Cole shoots in but no luck this time.
Blasts dodges the punch combination from Cole.
Blasts misses with a straight left.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blasts throws a body punch but Cole moves out of range.
Blasts takes a shot right to the bread basket.
We've been told by Blasts's head coaches at LOD: Contenders (Max ID290) that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Blasts throws a leg kick but Cole sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A jab from Blasts finds it's way through Cole's defenses.
Blasts wants to slow Cole down by chopping away at his legs.
Blasts feints and then cracks Cole's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Cole down.
Cole uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Blasts.
Cole connects with a body shot that sends Blasts's belly button to the back.
Blasts misses with a body shot.
Cole swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Blasts tests Cole's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Blasts will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Blasts wants to slow Cole down by chopping away at his legs.
Cole tries to land a leg kick but Blasts saw it coming and moves away.
Blasts appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Blasts throws a leg kick that is checked
and Blasts takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blasts looks to throw the jab but Cole is out of range.
Blasts avoids the body shot from Cole.
Cole is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Blasts rather than just go for the knockout.

Blasts takes the fight into the clinch.
Cole tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Blasts struggles to land a body shot inside as Cole controls his hands.
Blasts lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Cole backwards.
Cole working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Cole lands a body punch in the clinch.
Blasts unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Cole misses with an elbow strike.
Cole tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Blasts letting Cole take a breather here.
Cole throws a punch but it's blocked by Blasts.
A nice left hand lands by Cole.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Blasts with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blasts landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Blasts struggles to land a body shot inside as Cole controls his hands.
Blasts misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Cole.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cole swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Blasts scores with a shoulder strike.
Blasts misses with a punch on the inside.
A short right from Blasts.
Blasts tries a knee to the head but Cole blocks it.
Cole presses Blasts against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Blasts.
Blasts prevents a takedown attempt there.
Rupert Blasts has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Cole.
Cole digs a right hand into Blasts's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Blasts's gas tank.
A shot in the inside from Blasts.
Cole goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Blasts tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Cole avoids it.
Blasts with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Blasts tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Cole avoids it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rupert Blasts dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Cole takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Cole gets cracked there but stands up to it.

Cole moves into the clinch.
Cole blocks an uppercut.
Cole blocks a body shot from Blasts.
Cole struggles to land a body shot inside as Blasts controls his hands.
Blasts blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Cole has hold of one of Blasts's legs. Blasts is fighting the takedown attempt but Cole gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Cole postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Cole has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Blasts wants to stand but Cole is controlling the position.
Cole trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Blasts wants to stand but Cole is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Cole not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Blasts ducks right into an uppercut from Cole.
Blasts fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Cole manages to avoid it.
Blasts pivots, looking for a leg kick but Cole is out of range and Blasts settles back down.
Cole is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Rupert Blasts is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Blasts will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Cole is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Blasts with a body shot.
Blasts tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cole was well out of range. Poor timing from Blasts.
Blasts uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Cole has time to react.
Cole throws a leg kick that misses.
Blasts tried to score with a low kick but Cole checks it.
Rupert Blasts seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cole keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Blasts is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Cole can do to turn this around?
Blasts getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Blasts connects with a body shot.
Blasts digs a good hook to Cole's body.
A shot to the body from Blasts misses
and Cole counters with a lovely shot to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Blasts misses with a wild body shot.
Cole throws a shot to the body.
Blasts cracks a nice hook into Cole's ribs.
Blasts throws a body shot but no joy.
Cole feints the counter takedown.
A left lands for Cole.
Cole moves out of range of the strikes.
Cole connects with a single shot there.
Cole is looking to chop away at Blasts's legs.
Cole throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blasts cracks the inside of Cole's front leg.
Blasts ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Blasts takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Cole darts in looking for a takedown but Blasts gets double underhooks and turns Cole into the cage.
Blasts thows a left - swing and a miss!
Blasts misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cole.
Cole catches Blasts with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Blasts jabs at Cole's body.
Cole misses with a looping right.
Blasts throws a hook to the side of Cole's head but Cole sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Cole stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Blasts.
A big left from Blasts misses.
Cole keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blasts changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Cole misses with a low kick.
Cole scores with a hook to the body. Blasts takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Blasts throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Cole ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Blasts moves away.
Blasts lands a leg kick that knocks Cole off balance momentarily.
Cole lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Cole lands a really nice looking cross but Blasts seems unphased.
Blasts throws an off balance right hand
and Cole counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Cole is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

Blasts has Cole up against the cage in a clinch.
Cole blocks an uppercut.
Cole lands an uppercut.
Blasts misses with the head strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Rupert Blasts will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Cole connects with a nice looking jab.
Blasts throws a solid leg kick but Cole takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Blasts.
Blasts uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cole.
Blasts closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Cole lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Blasts throws a leg kick that is checked
and Cole counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Blasts is rocked!
Blasts lands with a thumping leg kick.
Cole's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
A jab from Blasts misses.
Blasts throws a poor cross that misses
and Cole counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Blasts throws a leg kick but Cole sees it coming and checks it nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Blasts scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Blasts ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cole moves away.
Blasts takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Blasts throws a nice outside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blasts throws a leg kick but Cole sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Blasts connects with a body shot that sends Cole's belly button to the back.
Blasts throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Cole is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Blasts with a body shot.
Blasts dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Cole takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

Cole rushes Blasts and presses him up against the cage.
Cole throws a head punch that misses.
Cole trying to land knees to the body.
Cole lands with a short shot to the head.
Cole misses with a punch to the body.
Cole blocks an uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Blasts fails to land.
Blasts using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Cole managing to block the knees to the body from Blasts.
Blasts misses with a hook from the clinch.
Blasts prevents a body shot from Cole.
Michael Cole has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blasts tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
A short left from Cole.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Cole has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Blasts clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Cole throwing wild punches that miss their target.
Blasts is trying to stand back up.
Blasts looking very determined here, making life difficult for Cole.
Cole missing with strikes from the back.
Blasts looking very determined here, making life difficult for Cole.
Blasts is trying to stand back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Cole's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Cole lands a shot to the body.
Cole lands a shot to the head.
Cole landing with strikes.
Oh Blasts is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Blasts is trying to get back to his feet but Cole has full control of the position and if anything, Blasts has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Blasts seems to have got his legs back now.
Cole connects with a couple of big shots that have Blasts covering up! Oh, this looks bad for Blasts! Cole fires away with several more unanswered shots and the referee has no choice but to step in! This one is aaaaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Michael Cole!
Michael Cole made sure to mention his sponsor, MayheM sportswear in his post fight interview.