PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Balal Lama (ranked 618 p4p, 684 weight class) and Theros Ironfeld (ranked 75 p4p, 85 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Lama
vs
Ironfeld

195 cm
34
220
17 - 11 - 0

195 cm
26
275
14 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Powerful

Brooklyn Apothecary
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Knockaround Guys Fight Gear
Shadow Realm Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Balal Lama!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Theros Ironfeld!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Daniel Blasius and Paul Aken.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lama rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ironfeld moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ironfeld moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Lama lands a nice shot that snaps Ironfeld's head back.
Lama connects with a jab.
Lama gets cracked there but stands up to it.

Lama looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Lama trying to control from half guard but Ironfeld is working away.
Ironfeld is controlling Lama's position as best he can from this difficult position.
We've been hearing that Lama has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Ironfeld tries to roll over but Lama keeps him under control.
Ironfeld controlling the position for now.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ironfeld keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Lama wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ironfeld keeps working.
Ironfeld tries to get to full guard but Lama has control of the leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lama is looking to advance position but Ironfeld won't allow it.
Lama wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ironfeld keeps working.
Ironfeld has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Lama is working away from the top position though.
Ironfeld is not content to let Lama control the position.
Lama wants to free his trapped foot but Ironfeld is holding on for dear life with his legs.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Well, if Lama 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.
Ironfeld trying to control from the bottom.
Ironfeld might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Lama haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

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.
Ground and pound from Lama.
Lama looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Ironfeld avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Lama.
Lama 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.
Lama trying to control from half guard but Ironfeld is working away.
Ironfeld is trying to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ironfeld is still trying to improve position.
Lama tries to pass the half guard into mount. Ironfeld knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Lama is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Ironfeld defends it well.
Ironfeld is refusing to be controlled, as Lama sits in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lama not doing much here.

Ironfeld is defending against the submission attempts here by Lama.
Ironfeld is looking to control Lama's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Ironfeld avoid being mounted?
Lama working Ironfeld over with strikes.
Ironfeld is trying to get back to full guard.
Lama working over Ironfeld with some ground and pound. Ironfeld looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Lama is pressing down on Ironfeld's thigh, looking to free his foot. Ironfeld is holding on for now.
Ironfeld slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lama wants to pass the guard but Ironfeld is keeping the position.
Ironfeld looking to control.
Lama scoring with some ground and pound.
Lama being controlled here momentarily.
Lama forces his way into half guard.
Lama prevents Ironfeld from improving his position.
Ironfeld is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ironfeld is doing well to control the position and prevent Lama from advancing to side control.
Ironfeld trying to hold on to Lama's head to control him but Lama postures up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Lama avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ironfeld throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Some wild striking there from Ironfeld.
Ironfeld checks a leg kick nicely.
Ironfeld works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Lama throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Lama tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ironfeld throws a body shot but no joy.
Lama catches Ironfeld with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Ironfeld scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Ironfeld tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Lama defends well and Ironfeld ends up having to push Lama into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Lama throws a right and a left that both miss.
Lama lands a jab-cross combination.

It looks like Theros Ironfeld has been cut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ironfeld misses with a series of wild punches.
Ironfeld lands with a nice body punch.

Ironfeld feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lama controls Ironfeld momentarily but Ironfeld frees himself.
Ironfeld won't allow Lama to get back to his feet.
Lama is pulling down on Ironfeld's head. It's preventing any offense from Ironfeld, at least for the moment.

Lama working for a triangle but Ironfeld defends it easily.
Ironfeld wants to control from the top but Lama keeps moving.
Ironfeld lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Ironfeld missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's two 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.
Ironfeld tries to free his leg and advance position but Lama is retaining full guard.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Lama here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Ironfeld is in close to Lama's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Ironfeld preventing the sweep.
Ironfeld landing some decent shots from guard.
Ironfeld lands a couple of digs.

Lama looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Lama is trying to keep Ironfeld in close.
Ironfeld trying to control but Lama is working from the bottom.
Ironfeld keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Lama's head.
Ironfeld is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Lama bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Ironfeld's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ironfeld pulls Lama in close to prevent any damage.
Ironfeld tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Ironfeld controlling Lama's posture.
Ironfeld looking for a sweep. Not yet Ironfeld, not yet.
Lama wants to control from the top but Ironfeld keeps moving.
Ironfeld looking to control.
Ironfeld bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Lama's guard.

Lama is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Ironfeld is controlling him.
Lama not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lama keeping full guard, as Ironfeld tries to pass.
Lama manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Ironfeld manages to get himself to full guard.

Ironfeld looking for a sweep. Not yet Ironfeld, not yet.
Ironfeld manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Lama manages to get himself to full guard.

Ironfeld scoring with punches to the head and body.
Lama manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Ironfeld manages to get himself to full guard.

Ironfeld wants to sweep here but Lama controlling him for the moment.
Ironfeld keeping moving, preventing Lama from controlling successfully.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Theros Ironfeld will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Theros Ironfeld's cut.
That's time! Lama's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Ironfeld stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Ironfeld wants it to stay on the feet.
As Lama backs off Ironfeld throws a huge counter combo but Lama manages to avoid it all.
Ironfeld throws a jab when Lama was well out of range.
Lama connects with the punch.
Ironfeld takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Ironfeld is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Lama.
Ironfeld throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Lama sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Lama looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

Lama drives through with a takedown into guard.
Ironfeld is looking to stand back up but Lama counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Ironfeld.

Lama sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Ironfeld moves into full guard.
Ironfeld has control of Lama's left arm, preventing Lama from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lama stands up over Ironfeld, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Ironfeld wants to sweep here but Lama controlling him for the moment.
Lama connects with a couple of short punches.
Lama trying to control the position from guard on top but Ironfeld is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ironfeld working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Lama.
Ironfeld is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Lama accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Ironfeld working for submissions but it's allowed Lama to get to half guard.
Lama trying to pass the guard but Ironfeld defending well.
Ironfeld wants to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ironfeld looks like he's trying to stand up.
Lama is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ironfeld can do to turn this around?
Lama is keen to just control but Ironfeld is a slippery customer.
Lama wants to free his trapped foot but Ironfeld is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Lama looks to land a strike but Ironfeld avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Lama trying to control the position from guard on top but Ironfeld is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Balal Lama overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ironfeld is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Ironfeld looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Lama is working Ironfeld over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lama looking to pass the guard.
Ironfeld pulls Lama in close to prevent any damage.
Lama lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Ironfeld wants to sweep but no luck.
Ironfeld trying to control the position.
Lama throwing strikes but missing.
Lama wants to control from the top but Ironfeld keeps moving.
Ironfeld wants to sweep here but Lama controlling him for the moment.
Lama wants to control from the top but Ironfeld keeps moving.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

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.
Ironfeld steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Lama.
Lama fails with the takedown.
Lama with a lazy takedown attempt
and Ironfeld cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Balal Lama. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lama scores with a jab. Ironfeld acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Lama shoots in for a double leg but Ironfeld sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Ironfeld shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Lama manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Ironfeld chips away with some ground and pound.
Ironfeld lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Ironfeld trying to control but Lama is working from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ironfeld prevents Lama from getting back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Balal Lama.
Well Lama 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 Aafke Stam scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Balal Lama!
Balal Lama managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Altitude Clothing, into his post fight interview.
Theros Ironfeld spoke after the fight, saying 'Came in here thinking I could get a chance at that belt, but when the pieces don't fit, the Blacksmith goes back to the forge. I'll be back.'.