PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ej Balingit (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tony Starks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Starks has chosen Bring Da Ruckus as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Ej Balingit has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Balingit
vs
Starks

205 cm
25
307 lbs
16 - 1 - 0

180 cm
28
300 lbs
11 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the super heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ej Balingit!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Tony Starks!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Nard Betker and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Starks drops his hands momentarily and Balingit takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

It looks like Tony Starks has been cut.
Balingit blocks a low kick nicely.

Starks closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Starks lands in his opponent's guard.
Starks stopping the sweep attempt from Balingit.
Balingit working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Starks.
Starks in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Starks throwing strikes from guard but Balingit blocks nicely.
Balingit will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Balingit preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Starks throws a big right hand that misses.
Starks has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Starks trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Balingit working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Starks.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Starks accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Starks trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Starks throws a strike but Balingit rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Starks pulls Balingit in close to his closed guard and prevents Balingit from doing any damage or advancing position.
Starks lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Balingit!

That's two 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.
Starks working Balingit over with strikes here.
Starks looking to land elbow strikes but Balingit uses the position to regain half guard.
Starks throwing shots but Balingit is blocking nicely.
Starks throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Starks thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Starks working over Balingit with some ground and pound. Balingit looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

It looks like Ej Balingit has been cut.
Starks sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Balingit defending well though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Starks missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Starks is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Balingit defends it well.
Balingit regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Starks.
Starks thows a big elbow that misses.
Starks throwing strikes but missing.
Starks throwing strikes from guard but Balingit blocks nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Starks throws a big right hand that misses.
Starks makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Starks postures up in Balingit's guard and throws a big left but Balingit blocks it.
Starks throws and elbow that misses. Balingit uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Starks's guard. Nice move by Balingit!
Starks is pulling down on Balingit's head to control his posture.
Starks manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Balingit manages to get himself to full guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Starks throws and elbow that misses. Balingit uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Starks's guard. Nice move by Balingit!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tony Starks dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Balingit's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

A telegraphed right hand from Balingit misses the target.
Balingit looks to land a left hand but Starks moved out of range nicely.
Balingit displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Starks.
Balingit wants to clinch up but Starks keeps it at a distance.
Balingit scores with a jab. Starks acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Balingit loads up on a big right hand but Starks slips the punch.
Balingit misses with a jab to the body
enabling Starks to counter with a crisp jab.
A telegraphed right hand from Balingit misses the target.
Starks ducks under a wild hook from Balingit.
Some wild striking there from Balingit.
Starks staying out of range there.
Ej Balingit seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balingit pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A looping hook to the body misses from Balingit. Starks does a little dance to reset his feet.
Balingit throws a lazy right hand but Starks sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Balingit ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Balingit throws a right hand that misses
and Starks counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A nice inside leg kick there by Starks. That's going to slow Balingit down.
Balingit paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Balingit swings widly with a right hand
and Balingit takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Balingit throws a shot to the body.
Starks pivots, looking for a leg kick but Balingit is out of range and Starks settles back down.
Starks misses with a kick to the body.
Starks misses with a left hand
and Balingit counters with a nice uppercut.
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!
Balingit checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Starks misses with an uppercut
and Balingit cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Starks with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Balingit to score with a decent uppercut.
Balingit avoids the body shot from Starks.
Balingit connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Balingit swings for the body but Starks moves out of range.
Starks defending well as Balingit loads up on a big left hand.
Starks throws an off balance right hand
and Balingit counters with a stiff right hand.
Ej Balingit is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Balingit dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Balingit misses the shot to the body.
Balingit fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Starks manages to avoid it.
Balingit looks to score with a jab to the body but Starks is just out of range.
Starks looks to throw a body kick
and Balingit counters with a straight right hand.
Nice body punch from Balingit.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Starks takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Balingit lands a jab to Starks's midsection.
Starks is breathing heavily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Balingit. Starks does a little dance to reset his feet.
Starks keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Balingit scores with a punch to the head.
Balingit fails with an attempt to clinch.
Balingit lands a right hook to the body.
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!
Balingit loads up on a big right hand but Starks slips the punch.
Balingit misses with a wild body shot.
Balingit scores with a nice right hand.
Starks takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Balingit lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Starks gets cracked there but stands up to it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balingit scores with a jab to the jaw.
Balingit slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Starks takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Balingit jabs at Starks's body.
Balingit fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Starks manages to avoid it.
Balingit throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Balingit just misses with a punch to the body.
A punch combination from Balingit misses.
Balingit thows a body shot but no joy.
Starks misses with an uppercut
and Balingit counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Balingit darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Good exchange - Balingit coming out on top.
Balingit missing with a left hand there. Starks was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ej Balingit dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Starks dodges the punch combination from Balingit.
Balingit lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Starks swats away the attempt to clinch by Balingit.
Balingit misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Starks.
Balingit thows a body shot but no joy.
Starks uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Balingit.
Starks walks into a jab.
Balingit throws the left hand but Starks avoids the punch easily.
No joy there for Starks, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Balingit is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Balingit throws a good cross that connects.
A nice leg kick lands there from Starks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balingit lands with a nice body punch.
Balingit throws a big shot that misses.
Balingit slaps away a takedown attempt from Starks, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Starks has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Balingit getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Starks takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Balingit is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Starks.
Balingit throws a body punch but Starks moves out of range.
Starks misses with a body kick.
Starks keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A big right from Balingit misses.
Balingit moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Starks fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Balingit is out of range.
Starks uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Balingit.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A chopping leg kick lands by Starks.
Balingit dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Starks keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Starks.
Starks takes a jab right on the kisser.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Balingit pushes Starks up against the cage in a clinch.
Balingit connects with a nasty looking knee right to Starks's face.
Balingit lands a left hand.
Balingit is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Starks is defending well for now.
Balingit is leaning against Starks and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Balingit.
Balingit lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balingit scores with a hook to the body.
Balingit unloads a knee to the mid-section. Starks lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Balingit scores with a knee to the head.
Balingit utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Balingit is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Starks can do to turn this around?
Balingit lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Starks managing to block the knees to the body from Balingit.
Starks on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Starks jumps guard but Balingit stands there with Starks around his waist. Starks gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Ej Balingit has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tony Starks.
A nice right hand lands inside from Balingit.
Balingit lands a shoulder strike.
A short body shot lands from Balingit as the two fighters clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Balingit scores with a knee to the head.
Balingit is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Still in the clinch, Balingit scores with a nice short uppercut.
Balingit using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Starks has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Balingit misses with a punch to the body.
Balingit with a knee to the head.
Balingit fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Starks avoiding damage as Balingit throws knees to the body.
Starks on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Starks on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Balingit misses with a punch on the inside.
Starks prevents a body shot from Balingit.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Balingit tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Starks's elbow.
Balingit connects with a nasty looking knee right to Starks's face.

That has opened up Tony Starks's cut even more.
Balingit unloads a knee to the mid-section.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ej Balingit clearly takes that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Starks uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Balingit.
Starks digs a good hook to Balingit's body.
Starks avoids the body shot from Balingit.
Ej Balingit is winning the standup battle so far.
Starks connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Balingit thows a left - swing and a miss!
Balingit blocks a jab.
Balingit misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Starks.
Balingit throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Starks uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Balingit.
Starks on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Starks misses with a right hand
and Balingit counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Starks uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Balingit.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice uppercut there from Balingit.
Starks tries to work over Balingit's front leg with a kick but Balingit checks it.
Starks is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Balingit thows a body shot but no joy.
Starks throws a poor cross that misses
and Balingit counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Balingit throws out a loose jab but Starks uses good head movement to avoid it.
Balingit connects with a body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Balingit. Starks does a little dance to reset his feet.
Balingit takes a swing at Starks's ribcage but misses.
Balingit misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Starks.
Starks needs to keep his hands up - Balingit had a free shot at his head there.
Starks misses with an uppercut. Balingit saw that one coming.
Balingit works Starks's body with a nice hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balingit misses with a body punch
letting Starks counter with a right hand.
Starks on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Starks misses with a body shot
and Starks takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Starks throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Balingit's waist but Balingit gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Starks off to one side.
A jab from Balingit misses.
Balingit throws a shot to the body.
Balingit tries to clinch but Starks moves out of range.
Starks showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Balingit.

Balingit has managed to clinch.
Starks blocks an uppercut.
Balingit is working Starks over against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A body shot lands from Balingit.
Balingit unloads a knee to the mid-section. Starks lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Balingit works on Starks's body with a couple of short punches.
Balingit with a knee to the head.
Balingit lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Starks or not.
Balingit lands a left hand that snaps the head of Starks backwards.
Balingit landing knees to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Balingit lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Balingit can't find room to land a body shot as Starks controls the action.
A short body shot lands from Balingit as the two fighters clinch.
Ej Balingit has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Balingit with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Balingit pushes Starks back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Balingit tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Starks avoids it.
Balingit lands a right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Starks stalling in the clinch but Balingit improves position.
A short body shot lands from Balingit as the two fighters clinch.
A short body shot lands from Balingit as the two fighters clinch.
Balingit makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A short right from Balingit.
A right handed body shot lands from Balingit.
Balingit lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Starks managing to block the knees to the body from Balingit.
Balingit working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Starks takes a knee right on the jaw!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Balingit lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Starks or not.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Balingit creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A hook to the body from Balingit.
Balingit throws a knee to the head but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ej Balingit had his way with Tony Starks in that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Balingit fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Starks looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Starks throws an off balance right hand
letting Balingit counter with a right hand.
Balingit swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Balingit cracks Starks with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Starks takes one on the chin but seems OK.
A jab from Balingit does it's job there.
Starks avoids the body shot from Balingit.
Balingit just misses with a punch to the body.
Starks changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Balingit tries to avoid it but Starks manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Balingit to the ground. Balingit escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Balingit connects with a good right hand that stumbles Starks. Starks circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Starks is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Starks throws a low kick but Balingit avoids it.
Balingit misses with a hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Starks misses with a wild body shot.
Starks throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Balingit throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Starks keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Balingit lands a lovely overhand right.
Balingit moves into range and connects with a jab.
Balingit fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Starks on the side of the head.

Starks is rocked!
Balingit throws a jab when Starks was well out of range.
Balingit scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Balingit misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Starks.
Starks uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Balingit.
Balingit 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.
Ej Balingit is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

The cut above Tony Starks's eye is starting to cause him problems now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balingit's jab looks to have found its range, popping Starks under the eye.
Balingit wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
A shot to the body from Balingit misses
and Starks cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Balingit misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Starks counters with a series of strikes. Balingit will be more careful next time no doubt.
Balingit scores with a nice head shot.
Balingit swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Starks.
Balingit connects with a good right hand that stumbles Starks. Starks circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Balingit listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Balingit loads up on a big right hand but Starks slips the punch.
Starks throws out a leg kick but Balingit moves out of range and Starks only half commits.

Balingit gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Starks wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A frustrated look appears on Starks's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Starks digs a right hand into Balingit's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Balingit's gas tank.
Starks is looking to break free of the clinch but Balingit has double underhooks.
Starks is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Tony Starks has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four 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.
Starks is trying to stall.
Balingit tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Starks's elbow.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Balingit blocking some punches.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ej Balingit showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Balingit has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 49:44
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 49:44
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 49:44

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ej Balingit!
Ej Balingit retains his super heavyweight title!