PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Carlos Blanka (ranked 8068 p4p, 7159 weight class) and Roddy Richards (ranked 687 p4p, 634 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Blanka
vs
Richards

188 cm
25
200
0 - 2 - 0

182 cm
21
191
0 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Carlos Blanka!
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, Roddy Richards!
The judges for this bout are David Hoff, Bart Greer and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Blanka throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Blanka is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

Blanka closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Blanka creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Richards's coach down at Armored Fitness & Sparring was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Richards's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Blanka lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Blanka presses Richards against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Richards is trying to push Blanka away but Blanka has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Blanka.
Richards letting Blanka take a breather here.
A short right from Blanka.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Blanka.
Blanka is struggling to control the position.
Blanka creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Richards's defenses.
A body shot lands from Blanka.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A short right from Blanka.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Blanka creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Richards wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Blanka lands a left hand.
Blanka leaning his opponent against the cage.
Blanka softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Blanka definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Blanka lands a hook to the side of the head.
Blanka digs a right hand underneath Richards's ribcage. Richards let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Blanka lands with a light punch inside.
Blanka gets through Richards's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Richards misses with a short punch on the inside.
Blanka scores with a hook to the body.
Blanka lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Blanka avoiding damage.
Blanka lands a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blanka creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Richards's defenses.
Blanka holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Blanka is stalling here.
The crowd are getting pretty annoyed with Blanka for his constant stalling in the clinch and are voicing their displeasure.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Blanka slows down the pace here.
Richards is trying to force a seperation but Blanka has the dominant position.
Blanka lands a hook that snaps the head of Richards backwards.
Blanka lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Blanka working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Blanka keeps control of Richards as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Blanka comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Richards's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blanka lands a right hand that snaps the head of Richards backwards.
Blanka lands a shot to the body.
A body shot lands from Blanka.
Blanka's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Blanka.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Blanka creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Blanka keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Richards's efforts to push away.
Blanka taking a breather.
Richards taking a breather.
Richards looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Richards misses with a punch to the body.
Still in the clinch, Blanka scores with a nice short uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blanka lands an elbow just above Richards 's eye.
Blanka scores with a hook to the body.
Blanka lands with a left to the head.
Blanka stalls.
Blanka lands a shot to the body.
A body shot lands from Blanka.
Blanka lands a shoulder strike.
Blanka lands a shoulder strike.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Blanka lands with a left to the head.
Blanka lands a right hand.
Blanka digs a right hand into Richards's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Richards's gas tank.
Blanka lands an elbow inside that Richards shrugs off.
Richards takes an elbow to the forehead.

It looks like Roddy Richards has been cut.
A right hook to the body lands for Blanka.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Carlos Blanka dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Roddy Richards's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Blanka looks to score with a jab to the body but Richards is just out of range.
Blanka misses with a body shot.
Richards uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Blanka.
Carlos Blanka seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Richards moves out of range of the strikes.

Blanka has Richards up against the cage in a clinch.
Blanka works on Richards's body with a couple of short punches.
A short body shot lands from Blanka as the two fighters clinch.
Blanka stalling the fight.
Blanka dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Blanka gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Blanka lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Blanka gets through Richards's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Richards tries to break the clinch but Blanka is controlling the position.
Richards's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blanka lands a body punch in the clinch.
Richards misses with a hook to the ribs.
Blanka lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Richards looking for a takedown.
A nice left hand lands by Blanka.
A short right from Blanka.
Blanka taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Blanka working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Blanka slowing the pace effectively.
Richards is trying to pull guard but Blanka has him pressed against the cage.
Nice body punch from Blanka - that landed with a thud.
A right handed body shot lands from Blanka.
Blanka is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Richards can do to turn this around?
Blanka comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Come on Blanka - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Blanka works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Blanka.
Blanka lands with a short punch from the clinch.
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!
Blanka lands with a light punch inside.
Blanka is leaning against Richards and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Blanka avoiding damage.
Richards wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Richards takes an elbow to the forehead.
Blanka lands a nice shot to the body.
Richards can't find room to land a body shot as Blanka controls the action.
Blanka softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Richards wants to break the clinch but can't.
Blanka lands an elbow inside that Richards shrugs off.
Blanka blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blanka dodges an elbow strike from Richards.
Blanka lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Blanka controlling the action here for a moment.
A short right from Blanka on the inside.
Blanka slows down the pace here.
Richards wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Blanka working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Blanka lands a shot to the body.
Blanka lands a nice uppercut.
Blanka's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Blanka gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Richards tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Blanka smiles and moves away.
Carlos Blanka has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Roddy Richards.
Richards lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Blanka circles away quickly and effectively.

Blanka has Richards up against the cage in a clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Blanka.
Richards wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Blanka lands a nice uppercut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Blanka taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Nice body punch from Blanka.
Blanka lands a nice shot to the body.
Blanka lands an elbow that stopped Richards in his tracks for a moment.
Blanka digs a right hand into Richards's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Richards's gas tank.
Blanka working some nice short punches in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Carlos Blanka dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Roddy Richards's cut.
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!

Blanka tries to bum rush Richards with a series of wild strikes but Richards uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Blanka ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

Blanka has taken the fight to the clinch.
Richards wants to break the clinch but can't.
A short body shot lands from Blanka as the two fighters clinch.
Blanka lands a body shot.
Richards misses with an elbow strike.
Blanka lands a right hand that snaps the head of Richards backwards.
Blanka pushes Richards back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Blanka is stalling here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Richards's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Blanka makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A short right from Blanka.
Blanka lands a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blanka lands a body shot.
Blanka holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Blanka scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Richards can't break the clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Blanka.
Richards is trying to break the clinch but Blanka is controlling him.
Nice body punch from Blanka.
Good body shot from Blanka.
Blanka lands a shot to the body.
Richards can't break the clinch.
Carlos Blanka has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Blanka is leaning against Richards and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Blanka lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Richards tries for a takedown but Blanka manages to get underhooks.
Richards takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Blanka lands a shoulder strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blanka lands a left hand that snaps the head of Richards backwards.
Blanka avoiding damage.
Blanka lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Richards.
Blanka content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Blanka taking a breather.
A body shot lands from Blanka.
Blanka working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Blanka lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Richards backwards.
Blanka effectively controlling the action here.
Blanka stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Richards wants to break free but Blanka has control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blanka stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Richards's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A left hand lands to the body for Blanka.
A short body shot lands from Blanka as the two fighters clinch.
Richards is trying to pull guard but Blanka turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Blanka stalls.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Blanka.
Blanka lands with a left to the head.
Richards tries to break the clinch but Blanka is controlling the position.
Nice body punch from Blanka - that landed with a thud.
Blanka gets through Richards's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Blanka displaying some good clinch control by pressing Richards up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Richards takes an elbow to the forehead.
Blanka pushes Richards back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Blanka is pushing Richards up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Blanka lands a hook that snaps the head of Richards backwards.
Carlos Blanka is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Richards jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Blanka walks away with a smile on his face. Richards gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Carlos Blanka has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Roddy Richards.
Blanka tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Richards was well out of range. Poor timing from Blanka.
Richards is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Blanka throws a series of punches but Richards moves out of range.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Richards throws a leg kick but Blanka moved away.
Blanka scores with a jab to the head.
Roddy Richards has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Richards tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

And that's the end of the fight!
Carlos Blanka showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Blanka has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 David Hoff scores the fight 30:24
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight 30:24
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 30:24

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Carlos Blanka!