PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jun Liu (ranked 2357 p4p, 13602 weight class) and Marian Balkon (ranked 325 p4p, 695 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Liu
vs
Balkon

192 cm
30
199
13 - 13 - 0

184 cm
49
183
16 - 14 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Heavy handed

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 13 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jun Liu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 14 - 0, fighting out of New York, Marian Balkon!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Kenichi Hosakawa and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Liu pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Balkon looks to score with a jab to the body but Liu is just out of range.
Liu throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Liu moves away from the strike by Balkon.
Balkon slips under a jab.
Balkon swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Balkon takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Liu uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Balkon has time to react.
A slow jab from Balkon misses its intended target.
Liu looks to land a body kick but Balkon moved away.
Balkon misses with a looping right.
Balkon throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Liu counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Balkon misses the body punch
and Liu counters with a two punch combo.
Liu misses with a straight left.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Liu throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Marian Balkon seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Liu throws a right and a left that Balkon avoids nicely.
Liu has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Roosters Coop in the buildup to the fight.
Liu lands a nice looking kick to the body. Balkon takes a step back to recover.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Liu.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balkon throws a shot from downtown. Liu moves away and avoids it.
Liu scores with a hook to the body. Balkon takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
A swing and a miss from Liu.
Balkon keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Balkon is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Balkon.
Balkon takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Balkon takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Balkon walks forward, straight into a front kick from Liu.
A big right from Liu misses.
Balkon is trying to counter with his kicks.
Liu connects with a body shot that sends Balkon's belly button to the back.
Balkon has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Liu tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Balkon was well out of range. Poor timing from Liu.
Liu defending well as Balkon loads up on a big left hand.
Liu takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Balkon lets loose with a powerful body kick. Liu will feel that in the morning.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Liu throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot lands for Balkon.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Liu.
Balkon throws a big shot that misses.
Liu digs a good body shot into Balkon's ribs.
Liu tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Balkon misses with a body kick.
Liu goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Some wild striking there from Liu.
Balkon misses with a hook.
Balkon fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Liu stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Balkon.
Balkon digs a good body shot into Liu's ribs.
Balkon with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Liu to score with a decent uppercut.
Balkon misses with a jab to the body
and Liu counters with a straight right hand.
Liu pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
A looping hook to the body misses from Liu. Balkon does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Liu throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Balkon misses with a body kick.
Liu thinks about countering with a body kick.
Liu pushes Balkon away with a front kick.
Liu lands a head kick. Balkon smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Balkon keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Balkon scores with a push kick.
A jab from Balkon misses.
Liu connects with a right hand. Balkon shakes it off.
Balkon misses with an uppercut
and Liu counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Liu is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Liu lands with a hook. Balkon tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Liu connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A head kick by Liu misses
and Balkon makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Liu really felt that one!
Liu throws the kick towards the body but Balkon avoids it.
Liu fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Balkon manages to avoid it.
Balkon lands an overhand right.
Liu ducks under a wild hook from Balkon.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Liu blocks a leg kick.
Liu throws a quick counter kick to the body but Balkon avoids it.
Liu scores with a decent looking hook.
Balkon throws a shot from downtown. Liu moves away and avoids it.
And Liu counters with a quick kick to the body but Balkon blocks it.
Liu defending well as Balkon loads up on a big left hand.
Liu blocks a jab.
Liu thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Balkon if he has to take too many more of those.
Balkon connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Balkon waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Liu.
Balkon tries to land a leg kick but Liu saw it coming and moves away.
Liu ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Liu has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Balkon finds it's way round the side to connect with Liu's head.
Liu misses with a hook to the body
enabling Balkon to counter with a crisp jab.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Balkon throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Liu swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Balkon lands a really nice looking cross but Liu seems unphased.
Liu scores with a jab to the jaw.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Liu.
Balkon is looking to slow Liu down with leg kicks.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jun Liu dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Balkon throws a half hearted mid kick.
Liu lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Liu throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Balkon throws a poor cross that misses
and Liu cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Balkon throws out a loose jab but Liu uses good head movement to avoid it.
Liu scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Liu is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Balkon can do to turn this around?
Balkon throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Balkon slips a jab and a cross from Liu.
Balkon blocks the body kick.
Balkon pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Liu takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Balkon throws a leg kick
and Liu counters with a nice uppercut.
Balkon throws a body punch but Liu moves out of range.
Liu moves out of range of the strikes.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Liu looks to land a left hand but Balkon moved out of range nicely.
A little jabbing left from Balkon on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Liu throws a shot to the body.
Balkon jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balkon throws an off balance right hand
and Liu counters with a good, hard body kick but Balkon shrugs it off.
Balkon moves out of range as Liu throws a body kick.
Balkon throws a leg kick but Liu sees it coming and moves out of range.
Liu throws a series of punches but Balkon moves out of range.
Balkon misses with a straight right.
Balkon wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
A punch lands to the side of Liu 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Liu tries to land a front kick but Balkon steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Balkon waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Liu.
Liu misses the shot to the body.
Liu throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Liu throws a one two combo.
Liu lands with an uppercut that bounces Balkon off the cage and back into range.
Liu uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Balkon.
Liu misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Balkon.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Balkon misses the body punch
and Liu cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Liu misses the shot to the body.
Liu swings for the body but Balkon moves out of range.
A swing and a miss from Balkon.
Balkon misses with a hook.
Liu throws a wild body kick that Balkon sees coming a mile off.
Liu moves away from the strike by Balkon.
Liu changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Liu slips under a jab from Balkon.
Balkon throws a hook to the side of Liu's head but Liu sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Liu swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Liu slips under a jab.
Liu misses with a head kick.
Balkon swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Balkon throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A counter left hand to the body from Liu misses its target.
Liu misses with a kick to the body.
Balkon misses the shot to the body.
Liu is looking to counter with a body kick.
Liu scores with a push kick.
Balkon throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Liu finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Liu takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Balkon throws a jab when Liu was well out of range.
Balkon throws a lazy right hand but Liu sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Liu throws a series of punches but Balkon avoids them all with ease.
Balkon has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Liu.
Balkon rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Liu connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Balkon misses with a jab to the body
and Liu finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Balkon is breathing heavily.
The fighters circling - Balkon throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Liu scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Balkon takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Balkon moves out of range of the body kick from Liu.
Balkon is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Liu with a body shot.
Liu looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Balkon steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Liu.
Liu looks to score with a jab to the body but Balkon is just out of range.
Liu paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Liu takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
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!
Balkon throws a looping overhand right but Liu ducks down to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Liu throws a push kick but Balkon slaps the foot to one side.
Balkon chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Balkon looks to throw the jab but Liu is out of range.
Balkon looks to land a right hand but Liu moved out of range.
Balkon misses with a jab to the body
and Liu counters with a head kick.
Liu throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Liu moves out of range as Balkon strikes.
Jun Liu is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Liu throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Balkon lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Balkon throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Jun Liu is winning the standup battle so far.
Balkon scores with a jab.
Liu tries to land a front kick but Balkon steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Liu checks a leg kick.
A big left from Liu misses.
Liu has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Liu there as he acknowledges the shot.
A jab from Balkon misses.
Liu swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jun Liu dominated that second round.
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!

Liu fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Balkon manages to avoid it.
Liu fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Balkon manages to avoid it.
Balkon throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Liu misses with a wild body shot.
Liu throws a body shot but no joy.
Both fighters circling a little - Liu finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with each other but Balkon might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Liu has got the better of the exchanges.
Balkon takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Liu.
Balkon jabs Liu right on the nose. Liu blinks but takes it well.
The fighters circling - Balkon throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Balkon throws a push kick but Liu slaps the foot to one side.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Balkon scores with a nice right hand.
Balkon takes one to the chin there.
Liu throws a right and a left that Balkon avoids nicely.
Liu slips a jab from Balkon.
It appears Liu was looking to counter with a kick there.
The fighters circle momentarily. Balkon darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Liu looks to land a body kick but Balkon moved away.
Liu keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Balkon.
A big right from Balkon misses.
Balkon avoids the head kick by Liu.
Balkon moves out of range of the body kick from Liu.
Liu lands with a kick to the temple. Balkon shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Liu moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
A big left from Balkon misses.
Balkon throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Balkon has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Liu doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Balkon misses with a low kick as Liu jumps back.
Balkon misses the jab.
Liu lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Liu lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Balkon throws out a loose jab but Liu uses good head movement to avoid it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Balkon throws a jab but it's blocked by Liu.
Marian Balkon has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balkon looks to throw the jab but Liu is out of range.
Balkon throws a leg kick but Liu checks it.
A swing and a miss from Balkon.
Balkon uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Liu.
Liu swinging wildly here.
Liu feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Balkons jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Balkon looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Liu scores with a jab to the jaw.
A swing and a miss from Balkon.
A thudding body kick lands there by Liu!
Liu lands a jab to Balkon's midsection.
Liu lands a jab-cross combination.
Balkon moves out of range of the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balkon shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Balkon throws out a loose jab but Liu uses good head movement to avoid it.
Liu jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Balkon throws a lazy right hand but Liu sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Balkon throws a big shot that misses.
And Liu counters with a quick kick to the body but Balkon blocks it.
Liu throws a head kick but Balkon moves out of range.
Balkon ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Liu cracks Balkon with a right hand to the side of the head.
Balkon lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Balkon sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Liu avoids the body shot from Balkon.
Liu tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Balkon fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Liu manages to avoid it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Balkon. Liu does a little dance to reset his feet.
Liu went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Liu lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Balkon circles away quickly and effectively.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Liu fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Balkon swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Balkon goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Balkon misses with an uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Liu catches Balkon with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Liu is looking to land body kicks.
Liu scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Liu bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Balkon takes a swing at Liu's ribcage but misses.
Liu fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Balkon cracks a nice hook into Liu's ribs.
Liu bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Liu misses with a body kick.
Nice cross by Liu.
Liu blocks a jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jun Liu showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Liu 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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 30:27
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jun Liu!
Jun Liu managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, HELLBENT, into his post fight interview.