PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Bryer Blanchard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike VanDike (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Blanchard
vs
VanDike

190 cm
18
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

170 cm
19
189 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Great low kicks
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Rivers Edge Nutrition

Malicious Intent Fight Gear - The Pit Inc
HATE Technologies

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Bryer Blanchard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mike VanDike!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Anthony Taglia and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A jab from VanDike does it's job there.
Blanchard misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Blanchard shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with VanDike but VanDike pushes him off and we're back to square one.
VanDike blocks a head kick by Blanchard.
Blanchard takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Horrible takedown by Blanchard or perhaps it was just good defense by VanDike which made him look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bryer Blanchard. That's going to take a lot out of him.

VanDike gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Blanchard throws a strike but VanDike rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
VanDike scoring with punches to the head and body.
VanDike is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blanchard is looking to stand up but VanDike isn't so interested in that idea.
VanDike is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

VanDike drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and VanDike jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
VanDike sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Blanchard trying to control the position.
Blanchard tries to strike from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Blanchard is striking off his back. VanDike thinks nothing of it though and passes easily into half guard.
VanDike is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Blanchard won't allow VanDike to pass to mount.
VanDike is taking a breather. Blanchard says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Blanchard is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with VanDike in particular looking to stall.
Blanchard missing with punches from the bottom.
VanDike performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
I looks like VanDike might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Let's hope that VanDike has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Despite being in the dominant position, Mike VanDike just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Blanchard tries to score a power double leg takedown but VanDike sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Blanchard somewhat.

Blanchard drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Blanchard wants to stand but VanDike is controlling his arm.
Blanchard tries to advance to mount but VanDike denies him.
Blanchard wants to control but VanDike is keeping him busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

A telegraphed takedown attempt from Blanchard is defended easily by VanDike.
Blanchard throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck VanDike on the side of the head.

VanDike looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
VanDike trying to control the pace.
VanDike should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Blanchard looks like he's trying to stand up.
VanDike blocks the strikes from Blanchard.
VanDike is controlling the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blanchard is trying to get back to full guard.
Well, if VanDike is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Blanchard tries to roll over but VanDike keeps him under control.
VanDike stops Blanchard from getting back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Blanchard is trying to control but can't.
VanDike frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
VanDike controlling his opponent.
VanDike is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blanchard is trying to escape the mount.
Blanchard sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Blanchard moves into full guard.
Blanchard will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
VanDike stops Blanchard from standing up.
VanDike showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blanchard looking to control.
Blanchard looking to hit a scissor sweep but VanDike is one step ahead there.
VanDike's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Blanchard lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for VanDike!
Blanchard misses with a head shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Mike VanDike will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Blanchard gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and VanDike counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

VanDike closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

VanDike drags the fight down to the ground.
VanDike 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.
VanDike pulls Blanchard in to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Blanchard would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Blanchard throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Blanchard won't allow VanDike to sweep him here.
VanDike takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
VanDike controlling Blanchard's posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blanchard wants to get up but he can't break VanDike's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
VanDike avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Blanchard misses with a takedown
letting VanDike counter with a right hand.
VanDike doesn't manage to clinch there - Blanchard circles away.
Blanchard shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and VanDike counters with a three punch combo that has Blanchard backing up. Blanchard nods at VanDike to acknowledge the strikes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bryer Blanchard. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Blanchard with a lazy takedown attempt
and VanDike makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Blanchard really felt that one!

VanDike gets the takedown into side control.
Blanchard is trying to buck VanDike off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
VanDike in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Blanchard is trying to get back to half guard.
VanDike is putting a hurting on Blanchard here, landing some big shots from side control.
VanDike prevents Blanchard from escaping the position.
VanDike content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Blanchard tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but VanDike wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
VanDike taking a breather here.
Blanchard is trying to control VanDike's posture but VanDike avoids it.
VanDike tries to score with some ground and pound. Blanchard controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Blanchard is looking to regain half guard here but VanDike keeps moving and retains side control.
VanDike controls the position from side control.

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.
Blanchard tries to buck VanDike off but VanDike is having none of it.
VanDike moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Blanchard tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but VanDike wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A lull in the action here.
You can see the frustration on Blanchard's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike VanDike comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well VanDike has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Steve Montenegro scores the fight 28:30
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike VanDike!