PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Emiliano Blackburn (ranked 258 p4p, 1049 weight class) and Kevin Walters (ranked 30 p4p, 131 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Blackburn
vs
Walters

168 cm
22
135
9 - 2 - 0

180 cm
22
156
7 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

Altitude Clothing
Conviction

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing
Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Emiliano Blackburn!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kevin Walters!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Saam Ante and Wagner Zegers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A jab from Blackburn misses.
Walters throws a body punch but Blackburn moves out of range.
Blackburn misses with a hook. Walters ducked under it nicely.
A looping hook to the body misses from Walters. Blackburn does a little dance to reset his feet.
Blackburn seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Blackburn tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Walters defends well and Blackburn ends up having to push Walters into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Walters drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Blackburn defends it well.
Walters blocking some punches.
Blackburn can't find room to land a body shot as Walters controls the action.
Blackburn lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Walters gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Walters trying to control the position from guard on top but Blackburn is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
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.

Walters tries to get to full guard but Blackburn has control of the leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Walters slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Walters is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Walters might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Blackburn haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Blackburn stopping the sweep attempt from Walters.

Walters had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Blackburn defends it easily.
Blackburn has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Walters wants to hit a sweep here but Blackburn passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Walters there!
Walters is squirming around, avoiding Blackburn's attempts to control the action.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Walters tries to hold on but Blackburn postures up.
Blackburn looking to control but Walters is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blackburn looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Blackburn landing strikes, looking to finish!
Blackburn trying to control but Walters is having none of it.
Blackburn is really struggling to control Walters but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Walters regains half guard.
Blackburn wants to pass to mount but Walters is defending the position.

Walters is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Blackburn pulls his head out easily.
The fighters are battling for position here. Walters manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Walters is looking for a triangle here but Blackburn uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Blackburn lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blackburn scores with punches from side control.
Walters is trying to control Blackburn's posture but Blackburn avoids it.
Walters tries to buck Blackburn off but Blackburn is having none of it.
Blackburn landing a few strikes.
Walters is looking to reverse the position.
Blackburn lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Walters down.
Blackburn working the body and head with strikes.
Walters is looking for a sweep.
Walters is trying to control Blackburn's posture but Blackburn avoids it.
Walters manages to get back to half guard.
Blackburn winds up and cracks Walters with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Walters wants to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Walters trying to control from the bottom.
Blackburn lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Walters slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Walters is pulling down on Blackburn's head. It's preventing any offense from Blackburn, at least for the moment.

Walters is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Blackburn defends well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Blackburn chips away with some ground and pound.

Walters working for a triangle but Blackburn defends it easily.

Walters looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Blackburn passes into side control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Emiliano Blackburn dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Walters shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Blackburn's guard.
Walters looking to sit in guard and control but Blackburn gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Walters looking for a guillotine here but Blackburn defends easily.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Blackburn here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.

Walters working for a triangle but Blackburn defends it easily.

Walters has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Blackburn can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Blackburn lands a couple of elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blackburn postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Walters is looking for a triangle but Blackburn pushes his legs off easily.
Blackburn might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Blackburn working some strikes from top position.
Blackburn pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Walters is keeping the position for now.
Walters is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Blackburn trying to control but Walters is working from the bottom.
Blackburn is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Blackburn stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Walters swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Blackburn trying to control the position from guard on top but Walters is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Walters has his foot on Blackburn's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Blackburn works his way back into a safe position though.

Walters throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Blackburn escapes and throws Walters's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Walters tries to bench press Blackburn off him but Blackburn keeps the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Walters is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Walters looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Walters is trying to maintain the position but Blackburn is very close to passing his half guard.
Blackburn seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Walters has a hand on Blackburn's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Blackburn takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Walters tries to hold on but Blackburn pushes him away.
Blackburn is in the full mount, landing strikes.
The referee warns Walters that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blackburn dominating with strikes here.
Blackburn is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Walters can do to turn this around?
Blackburn pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Walters wants to hold on but Blackburn pushes him away.
Blackburn prevents Walters from getting the reversal.
Blackburn tries to control but Walters wriggling away.
Blackburn lands a nice shot to the head.
Walters is in all sorts of trouble here.
Walters tries to hold on but Blackburn postures up.
Walters taking shots to the head.
Walters regains half guard.
Blackburn lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Blackburn wants to take a breather but Walters is having none of it.
Walters moves into full guard.

Walters looking for a guillotine here but Blackburn defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Walters wants to sweep but no luck.
Blackburn controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Walters isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Blackburn stacks Walters on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Blackburn!
Blackburn tries to advance to mount but Walters denies him.
Blackburn working the ground and pound from side control.
Walters sneaks back into half guard.
Walters is trying to maintain the position but Blackburn is very close to passing his half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Walters closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Blackburn's guard.
Walters works over Blackburn with some ground and pound from guard.
Walters postures up in Blackburn's guard and throws a big left but Blackburn blocks it.
Blackburn is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Blackburn looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
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.

Walters is staying active underneath Blackburn, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Blackburn throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Walters is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Walters wants to get back to full guard.
Walters trying to control here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blackburn scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Emiliano Blackburn overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Walters tries to roll over but Blackburn keeps him under control.
Blackburn looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Blackburn takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Walters actively working from the bottom here.
Blackburn is trying to control the action in half guard but Walters is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Walters gets back to full guard.
Blackburn lands a couple of elbows.
Walters is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Blackburn stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Walters swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Blackburn trying to control but Walters is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Walters is on top in guard.

Blackburn tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Walters pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Blackburn is keeping the position for now.
Blackburn looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Walters throws a big elbow that misses.
Blackburn managing to control the position.
Walters landing some decent shots from guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Walters throwing strikes but missing.
Blackburn wants to sweep but no luck.
Blackburn is controlling Walters's posture.
Blackburn keeping moving, preventing Walters from controlling successfully.

Walters thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Blackburn wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Walters is now in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Blackburn is trying to get back to full guard.
Walters controlling the pace.
Walters has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Walters looking to ground and pound but Blackburn is blocking nicely.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Blackburn is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Walters with a couple of short strikes.
Blackburn bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Walters tries to move into range but Blackburn moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Walters takes a swing at Blackburn's ribcage but misses.
Kevin Walters seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Walters throws a poor cross that misses
and Blackburn cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Walters misses with a lunging right hand
and Blackburn counters with a stiff right hand.
Walters misses with an uppercut
and Blackburn cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Walters gets a double leg takedown into Blackburn's guard.
Walters wants to control from the top but Blackburn keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Blackburn is controlling Walters's posture.
Blackburn not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Walters wants to pass the guard but Blackburn is keeping the position.
Walters trying to control the position from guard on top but Blackburn is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Blackburn seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Blackburn utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Blackburn utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Walters misses with a hook to the body
and Blackburn counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

Walters gets the takedown into side control.
Blackburn wants to control but Walters postures up.
Walters misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Blackburn is in a bad spot here and he knows it... just holding on for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blackburn struggling a bit here.
Blackburn is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Walters off and has taken his back!
Blackburn doesn't have the hooks in and Walters manages to turn into his guard.
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!
Walters looking to pass the guard.
Walters is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Blackburn seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Walters controlling from the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Walters throwing strikes from guard but Blackburn blocks nicely.
Walters throwing strikes from guard but Blackburn blocks nicely.
Blackburn controlling Walters's posture.
Walters throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Walters throwing strikes but missing.
Walters wants to control from the top but Blackburn keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Blackburn has his hands on Walters's head, controlling the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Walters swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Blackburn counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Kevin Walters will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Walters misses with a jab to the body

and Blackburn counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Blackburn lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Blackburn preventing the sweep.
Blackburn trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Walters is looking to sweep but instead, Blackburn has passed into half guard.
Walters has hold of Blackburn's hands but Blackburn slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Blackburn winds up and cracks Walters with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Walters is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Blackburn scores with a couple of nice shots.
Blackburn trying to mount his opponent but Walters defends it.
Blackburn is thwarting Walters's attempts to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Walters is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Walters looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Walters is looking for a sweep. Blackburn is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Walters wants to sweep but Blackburn has passed to side control!
Walters tries to improve position but can't.
Blackburn wants to lay and pray for a moment but Walters keeps working.
Blackburn has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Walters!
Walters is looking to get to half guard.
Walters sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Walters is pressing down on Blackburn's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Blackburn trying to control the position from guard on top but Walters is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Walters is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Walters looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Blackburn wants to control from the top but Walters keeps moving.

Walters looking to try and escape his hips here, looking for a submission. It looks like he's going for a triangle but Blackburn is defending well. Walters quickly switches to an armbar and extends the arm! Blackburn has no choice but to tap, to a very quick submission! Wow, that was lightning fast! Walters celebrates on the cage, with the crowd.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:32 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Kevin Walters!
Kevin Walters is the new featherweight champion!
Kevin Walters managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Conviction, into his post fight interview.