PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Don Stewart (ranked 2176 p4p, 269 weight class) and Lugh Blackburn (ranked 2999 p4p, 342 weight class). Blackburn has chosen When the Man Comes Down as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Stewart
vs
Blackburn

183 cm
28
187 lbs
16 - 8 - 1

187 cm
35
200 lbs
23 - 17 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Red Light Coffeeshop

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 16 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Don Stewart!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 17 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Lugh Blackburn!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Elvis Blanc and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stewart takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Nice shot lands for Blackburn.
Blackburn jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Stewart misses with a body shot.
Blackburn comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Blackburn scores with a nice strike.
Stewart tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Blackburn needs to keep his hands up - Stewart had a free shot at his head there.
Blackburn walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Blackburn waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Stewart.
Good shot there by Stewart.
Stewart moves into range and connects with a jab.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Blackburn misses with a body shot.
Blackburn swings for the body but Stewart moves out of range.
Stewart connects with the punch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Stewart. Blackburn does a little dance to reset his feet.
Blackburn keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Lugh Blackburn seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stewart looks to land a left hand but Blackburn moved out of range nicely.
Blackburn tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Stewart drops down looking for a counter takedown but Blackburn sprawls and moves away.
Blackburn throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Stewart on the side of the head.
Blackburn keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stewart tries to score with a low kick but Blackburn moves his leg out of the way.
It seemed like Blackburn was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
A telegraphed right hand from Stewart misses the target.
It seemed like Blackburn was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Stewart takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Stewart throws out a leg kick but Blackburn moves out of range and Stewart only half commits.
A little jabbing left from Blackburn on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Stewart throws a looping overhand right but Blackburn ducks down to avoid it.
Stewart swats away the attempt to clinch by Blackburn.
Stewart throws a leg kick but Blackburn moved away.
A slow jab from Stewart misses its intended target.
Stewart gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Blackburn.
Blackburn throws a lazy right hand but Stewart sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Blackburn takes one to the chin there.
Stewart throws a head kick but Blackburn moves out of range.
Stewart keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Blackburn.
Stewart drops down looking for a counter takedown but Blackburn sprawls and moves away.

Stewart drives through with a takedown into Blackburn's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Stewart forces his way into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stewart wants to lay and pray for a moment but Blackburn keeps working.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stewart is figuring out what he wants to do next.

Blackburn looking for submissions off his back.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Stewart works his way into full mount!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stewart lands a couple of good shots and Blackburn has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Blackburn is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Stewart scores with a nice shot to the head of his opponent. Blackburn is looking for a way out.
Stewart not allowing Blackburn to control his hands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stewart is throwing strikes from the back here. Oh that last one was to the back of the head. Stewart gets a warning from the referee. He throws another strike to the back of the head straight away though and the referee has seen enough. He breaks up the two fighters and stands them back up. Stewart gets a real talking to here and is lucky not to get a point deducted. Stewart apologises and we restart here on the feet.
Blackburn lands a right hook to the body.
Blackburn loads up on a big right hand but Stewart slips the punch.
Blackburn just misses with a punch to the body.
Stewart throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Blackburn tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Stewart manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Blackburn throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Stewart stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
A swing and a miss from Stewart.
The fight stays on the outside here - Stewart looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Blackburn takes one on the button.
Jab by Stewart.
The fight stays on the outside here - Blackburn looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Stewart ducks under a wild hook from Blackburn.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blackburn connects with a body shot.
Stewart misses with an uppercut.
Stewart swats away the attempt to clinch by Blackburn.
Lugh Blackburn is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Blackburn lands with a cross.
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!
Stewart is looking to chop away at Blackburn's legs.
Stewart misses with a looping left.
Blackburn stuns Stewart with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Nice shot by Blackburn.
Blackburn checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Blackburn connects with a right hand. Stewart shakes it off.
Blackburn misses with an uppercut.
Blackburn uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Stewart.
Blackburn avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
A countering left hand to the body from Blackburn misses.
A big right from Blackburn misses.
Blackburn slips a straight right by Stewart.
Blackburn is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Stewart lands with a straight right. Blackburn didn't see that one coming.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Don Stewart dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Blackburn connects with a body shot that sends Stewart's belly button to the back.
Stewart slips a straight right by Blackburn.
Stewart throws a shot from downtown. Blackburn moves away and avoids it.
Blackburn stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Stewart.
Stewart swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Stewart throws a hook to the side of Blackburn's head but Blackburn sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Stewart lunges at Blackburn with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Blackburn's hand.
Blackburn avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Lugh Blackburn seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Blackburn waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Stewart.
Stewart throws a shot to the body.
Stewart walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Stewart rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Blackburn moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Stewart takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

Stewart scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Stewart has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Blackburn trying to hold on to Stewart's head to control him but Stewart postures up.
Stewart wants to take a breather but Blackburn is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Blackburn looking for submissions off his back.
Blackburn wants to get back to full guard.
Stewart tries to pass to full mount but Blackburn defends it.
Stewart is stalling here. Blackburn is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Stewart seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Blackburn has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Stewart is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Blackburn's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Ground and pound from Blackburn.

Blackburn is looking for a kimura here.
Blackburn thows a huge punch but Stewart dodges it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stewart has hold of Blackburn's hands but Blackburn slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

Blackburn seems to be working for a kimura but Stewart defends the submission attempt.
Stewart is trying to control but can't.
Stewart is trying to get back to full guard.
Stewart works his way to full guard. Good work.
Stewart manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Blackburn manages to get himself to full guard.

Blackburn is looking for a triangle here but Stewart uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Don Stewart overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Blackburn is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stewart landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Stewart working away.
Stewart in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Stewart is looking to take a break and control but Blackburn is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Blackburn is looking for a sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Stewart connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Blackburn some visible discomfort.
Stewart is working Blackburn over with some ground and pound from side control.
Blackburn is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Stewart cracks Blackburn with a big elbow.
Blackburn is looking for a sweep.
Stewart connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Blackburn some visible discomfort.
Stewart trying to control the action but Blackburn is working from the bottom.
Blackburn manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Blackburn seems to be working for a kimura but Stewart defends the submission attempt.

Blackburn seems to be working for a kimura but Stewart defends the submission attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Don Stewart dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Blackburn misses with a hook.
Stewart throws a looping overhand right but Blackburn ducks down to avoid it.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Blackburn, as that shot connected.
Stewart fails with the takedown

and Blackburn counters by clinching up.
Stewart tries to work over Blackburn's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Stewart lands a right hand that snaps the head of Blackburn backwards.
Stewart lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Blackburn.
Stewart controlling the action here for a moment.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Stewart.
Nice body punch from Stewart.
Blackburn lands a shoulder strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Stewart creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Stewart misses with the head strike.

Blackburn decides to pull guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stewart trying to control but Blackburn is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stewart controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Blackburn looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Blackburn is trying to control the position but Stewart postures up.
Stewart trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Blackburn trying to keep a closed guard but Stewart is proving a slippery customer.
Blackburn is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Stewart is looking for a sweep. Blackburn is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Stewart moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Blackburn avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blackburn won't allow Stewart to sweep him here.
Stewart working a defensive guard but Blackburn passes into half guard.
Stewart wants to improve his position but Blackburn is controlling well.

Blackburn is working for a kimura but Stewart is defending it quite comfortably.
Stewart gets full guard.
Blackburn throwing strikes but missing.
Stewart not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stewart is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Blackburn is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Blackburn won't allow Stewart to sweep him here.
Blackburn trying to control the position from guard on top but Stewart is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stewart is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Blackburn won't allow Stewart to sweep him here.
Lugh Blackburn has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Blackburn stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Stewart swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Stewart trying to control the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Stewart misses with a looping right.
Blackburn misses with an uppercut

and Stewart counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stewart got a little sloppy there for a moment and Blackburn has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Stewart has managed to get both his arms back between Blackburn's legs - danger averted.
Stewart is in close to Blackburn's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Stewart throwing strikes from guard but Blackburn blocks nicely.
Blackburn is trying to keep Stewart in close.
Stewart stands up over Blackburn, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Stewart pushing down on Blackburn's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Blackburn looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Blackburn is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Stewart scores with a couple of nice shots.
Don Stewart is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Stewart working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Blackburn has hold of Stewart's hands but Stewart slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Stewart is looking to advance position but Blackburn won't allow it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Don Stewart showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Stewart, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Ian Loll scores the fight 30:27
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 30:27
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Don Stewart!
After the big win, Don Stewart made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors Vikai Gear and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.