PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Boris Balkan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jose Salcedo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Balkan's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Kosovo is Serbia. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Balkan
vs
Salcedo

205 cm
28
266 lbs
22 - 6 - 0

184 cm
27
278 lbs
17 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

Das Labor

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Boris Balkan!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jose Salcedo!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A combination from Salcedo does no damage.
Balkan tests Salcedo's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Balkan misses with an attempted mid kick.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Balkan.
Balkan swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Salcedo gets a takedown into half guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Salcedo seems to be looking for submissions.
Balkan trying to control here.

Salcedo is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Balkan has managed to free his arm - good work.
Balkan wants to get back to full guard.

Salcedo seems to be working for a kimura but Balkan defends the submission attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Salcedo seems to be working for a kimura but Balkan defends the submission attempt.

Balkan has one foot on Salcedo's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Balkan scoring well with a low kick there.

Balkan closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Balkan manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Balkan avoiding damage as Salcedo throws knees to the body.
Balkan lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Salcedo blocking some punches.
Salcedo trying to land knees to the body.
Salcedo tries a body shot but Balkan blocks it.
Salcedo blocks the elbow strike.
Salcedo scores with a knee to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Balkan throws a head punch that misses.
Balkan softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Salcedo on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Salcedo putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Balkan in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Balkan is breathing heavily.
Salcedo tries to work over Balkan's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Balkan lands a left hand.
Salcedo misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Balkan.
Salcedo tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
A knee to the head by Salcedo.
Salcedo scores a nice knee to the body.
Salcedo cracks Balkan with a nice body shot.
Balkan is looking to control Salcedo's arms but Salcedo gets an underhook and turns him. Now Balkan has his back to the cage.
Knees in the clinch landing for Salcedo.
Salcedo tries to work over Balkan's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Balkan takes a knee to the side of the body.
Nice body punch from Salcedo.
Salcedo lands a body punch in the clinch.
Salcedo tries to throw a body punch but Balkan avoids it by throwing Salcedo back against the cage.
Balkan blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Balkan throws a punch but it's blocked by Salcedo.
Salcedo misses with a hook to the ribs.
Salcedo throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Balkan blocks it with crossed arms.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salcedo tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Balkan's elbow.
A right hook to the body lands for Salcedo.
Nice body punch from Salcedo.
Balkan misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Salcedo lands an elbow just above Balkan 's eye.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Salcedo.
Salcedo lands a good knee to the midsection. Balkan won't want to take too many of those.
Salcedo landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Salcedo tries to land knees in the clinch but Balkan avoids the damage to the body.
Salcedo is working Balkan over against the cage.
Salcedo lands a shot to the body.
Salcedo misses with a knee to the head.
Salcedo lands an elbow inside.
Salcedo digs a right hand into Balkan's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Balkan's gas tank.
Salcedo pushes Balkan back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Salcedo scores with a shot to the side of Balkan's head.
Salcedo missing with knees to the body.
Salcedo lands a hook that snaps the head of Balkan backwards.
Balkan takes a knee to the side of the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Salcedo is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Balkan is defending well for now.
Salcedo trying to land knees to the body.
With the fighters up against the cage, Balkan throws an elbow but misses.
Balkan blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Balkan creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Salcedo tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Balkan has a couple of punches blocked by Salcedo.
Balkan is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Salcedo obliges.
Still in the clinch, Salcedo scores with a nice short uppercut.
Salcedo managing to block the knees to the body from Balkan.
Salcedo unloads a knee to the mid-section. Balkan lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Salcedo pushes Balkan back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Salcedo lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Balkan or not.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Salcedo landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Salcedo scores with a nice hook to the head.
Knees to the body from Salcedo.
Salcedo trying to land knees to the body.
Salcedo landing knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jose Salcedo dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Salcedo clinches with his opponent.
Balkan working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Balkan misses with a knee strike.
Salcedo scores a nice knee to the body.
Salcedo works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Salcedo misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Balkan.
Salcedo lands a damaging elbow.
Salcedo trying to land knees to the body.
Salcedo unloads a knee to the mid-section. Balkan lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Salcedo lands a good knee to the midsection. Balkan won't want to take too many of those.
Salcedo trying to land knees to the body.
Salcedo trying to land knees to the body.
Balkan tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Salcedo throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Balkans head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Salcedo landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Salcedo misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Balkan.
Balkan is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Salcedo landing knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salcedo works on Balkan's body with a couple of short punches.
Salcedo is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Balkan is defending well for now.
Salcedo has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Balkan tries to stall but Salcedo uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Knees to the body from Salcedo.
Salcedo is working Balkan over against the cage.
Jose Salcedo seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Balkan prevents a body shot from Salcedo.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Salcedo obliges.
Salcedo is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Balkan is defending well for now.
Knees to the body from Salcedo.
Salcedo missing with knees to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Salcedo tries to land knees in the clinch but Balkan avoids the damage to the body.
Salcedo tries to throw a body punch but Balkan avoids it by throwing Salcedo back against the cage.
Salcedo trying to land knees to the body.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Balkan.
A right hook to the body lands for Balkan.
Balkan takes an elbow to the forehead.
Salcedo landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Salcedo landing knees to the body.
Salcedo tries a body shot but Balkan blocks it.
Balkan managing to block the knees to the body from Salcedo.
Balkan misses with a hook from the clinch.
Salcedo prevents a body shot from Balkan.
Balkan blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Balkan managing to block the knees to the body from Salcedo.
Balkan lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Salcedo backwards.
Balkan is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Salcedo is keeping busy.
Balkan doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Salcedo tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Salcedo misses with a knee to the head.
Balkan scores with a shoulder strike.
Balkan is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Nice body punch from Salcedo - that landed with a thud.
Salcedo putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Balkan in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Salcedo lands an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salcedo lands an elbow inside.
Balkan misses with a hook from the clinch.
Salcedo tries to land knees in the clinch but Balkan avoids the damage to the body.
Salcedo lands a shot to the body.
Balkan on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Balkan softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Knees to the body from Salcedo.
A hook to the body from Salcedo.
Balkan blocks a body shot from Salcedo.
Balkan throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Salcedos head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Salcedo misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Balkan.
Balkan tries to land a knee to the head but Salcedo blocks with his arms.
Salcedo misses with a body punch.
Salcedo creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Balkan's defenses.
Balkan is looking to control Salcedo's arms but Salcedo gets an underhook and turns him. Now Balkan has his back to the cage.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Salcedo obliges.
Salcedo is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Salcedo crunches a lovely knee into Balkan's ribcage.
Salcedo using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Balkan has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Salcedo unloads a knee to the mid-section. Balkan lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Salcedo landing knees to the body.
Salcedo utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Salcedo obliges.
Balkan lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Balkan swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Salcedo lands with a left to the head.
Balkan on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Balkan avoiding damage as Salcedo throws knees to the body.
Salcedo is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Salcedo missing with knees to the body.
Salcedo trying to land knees to the body.
A short body shot lands from Salcedo as the two fighters clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Balkan lands a right hand.
Salcedo can't find room to land a body shot as Balkan controls the action.
Balkan using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Salcedo has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Salcedo tries to work over Balkan's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jose Salcedo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Some wild striking there from Salcedo.

Balkan lands a big head kick that sends Salcedo tumbling to the mat! Balkan takes a step backwards and waves Salcedo back to his feet - he wants the finish!
Balkan throws a body kick that misses.

Balkan takes the fight into the clinch.
Balkan prevents a body shot from Salcedo.
Balkan tries to land knees in the clinch but Salcedo avoids the damage to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Balkan creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Balkan working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Salcedo blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Salcedo's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Balkan misses with a hook from the clinch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Balkan on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Salcedo.
Balkan goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Salcedo takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Balkan softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balkan doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Salcedo blocks an uppercut.
Salcedo tries to work over Balkan's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Balkan takes a knee to the side of the body.
Salcedo with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Salcedo on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Salcedo lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Salcedo works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Salcedo misses with a knee to the head.
Salcedo tries a body shot but Balkan blocks it.
Salcedo tries to land knees in the clinch but Balkan avoids the damage to the body.
Balkan swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Salcedo tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Salcedo blocking some punches.
Salcedo misses with the head strike.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Balkan blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Salcedo misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Balkan.
Balkan blocks a body shot from Salcedo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balkan blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Balkan stalling.
Balkan lands with a right to the head.
Balkan throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Balkan digs a right hand into Salcedo's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Salcedo's gas tank.
Balkan looking to throw knees to the head but Salcedo is blocking nicely.
Salcedo prevents a body shot from Balkan.
Salcedo takes a knee to the side of the body.
Balkan unloads a knee to the mid-section. Salcedo lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Salcedo misses with a body punch.
Balkan goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Salcedo avoids the elbow strike from Balkan, against the cage.
Balkan trying to control the position but instead, Salcedo has worked for underhooks and has pushed Balkan into the cage.
Balkan scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Balkan tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Salcedo tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Salcedo prevents a body shot from Balkan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Balkan.
Balkan working aggressively here.
Balkan misses with a knee strike.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Salcedo tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
A shot in the inside from Salcedo.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Balkan.
Balkan pushes Salcedo back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Balkan lands a hook that snaps the head of Salcedo backwards.
Salcedo tries to land knees in the clinch but Balkan avoids the damage to the body.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Balkan lands a body punch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Balkan lands a nice uppercut.
Balkan tries to land knees in the clinch but Salcedo avoids the damage to the body.
Balkan lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Salcedo tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Balkan avoids it.
Balkan just leaning against Salcedo, taking a breather.
Balkan misses with a body punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Salcedo is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Balkan is defending well for now.
Balkan blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Balkan tries a knee to the head but Salcedo blocks it.
Balkan lands a nice elbow.
Balkan lands a left hand that snaps the head of Salcedo backwards.
Balkan lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Salcedo backwards.
Balkan lands a left hand.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Balkan takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Salcedo blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Balkan tries to throw a body punch but Salcedo avoids it by throwing Balkan back against the cage.
Salcedo utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Balkan on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Salcedo.
Balkan tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Salcedo lands a body punch in the clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Salcedo.
Salcedo tries to land knees in the clinch but Balkan avoids the damage to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Boris Balkan clearly takes that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Balkan misses with a kick to the body

and Salcedo counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Salcedo.
Balkan working aggressively here.
Salcedo blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Balkan pushes Salcedo back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Balkan.
Balkan throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Balkan struggles to land a body shot inside as Salcedo controls his hands.
Balkan lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Salcedo backwards.
Salcedo unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Balkan on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Salcedo missing with knees to the body.
Salcedo misses with a knee strike.
Balkan tries to throw a body punch but Salcedo avoids it by throwing Balkan back against the cage.
Balkan blocks a body shot from Salcedo.
Balkan misses with some punches.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Balkan is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Salcedo with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Salcedo is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Balkan trying to control the position but instead, Salcedo has worked for underhooks and has pushed Balkan into the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balkan blocks an uppercut.
Balkan lands a left hand that snaps the head of Salcedo backwards.
Balkan avoiding damage as Salcedo throws knees to the body.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Balkan.
Salcedo putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Balkan in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Still in the clinch, Balkan scores with a nice short uppercut.
Salcedo tries to throw a body punch but Balkan avoids it by throwing Salcedo back against the cage.
Balkan lands a right hand that snaps the head of Salcedo backwards.
Balkan controlling the action here for a moment.
Balkan lands an uppercut.
Balkan lands a right hand that snaps the head of Salcedo backwards.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A nice right hand lands inside from Balkan.
Balkan wants to stall.
Balkan working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

Salcedo is rocked!
Salcedo lands a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balkan tries a body shot but Salcedo blocks it.
A short left from Balkan.
Salcedo is still on wobbly legs! Can Balkan finish him?
Balkan lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A short body shot lands from Salcedo as the two fighters clinch.
Salcedo throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Balkan with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Salcedo seems to have recovered his senses.
Salcedo goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Balkan prevents a body shot from Salcedo.
Balkan misses with a shot to the kidneys.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Balkan.
Salcedo can't find room to land a body shot as Balkan controls the action.
Salcedo lands a body punch in the clinch.
A right hand to the body from Salcedo.
Salcedo lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Balkan.
Salcedo misses with a body punch.
Salcedo lands a nice shot to the body.
Knees to the body from Salcedo.
Balkan takes a shot to the head.
Salcedo lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Balkan backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balkan avoiding damage as Salcedo throws knees to the body.
Balkan prevents a body shot from Salcedo.
Balkan is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Salcedo is keeping busy.
Balkan managing to block the knees to the body from Salcedo.
Balkan tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Salcedo avoids it.
Salcedo can't find room to land a body shot as Balkan controls the action.
Salcedo trying to land knees to the body.
Salcedo misses with a punch to the body.
Salcedo lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Balkan or not.
Balkan tries to throw a body punch but Salcedo avoids it by throwing Balkan back against the cage.
Balkan struggles to land a body shot inside as Salcedo controls his hands.
Balkan on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Balkan swings wildly with an uppercut but Salcedo uses good head movement to avoid it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Balkan.
Balkan trying to control the position but instead, Salcedo has worked for underhooks and has pushed Balkan into the cage.
Come on Balkan - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balkan working aggressively here.
Balkan's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Salcedo gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Salcedo blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Salcedo managing to block the knees to the body from Balkan.
A head punch on the inside from Balkan fails to land.
Balkan lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
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!
Balkan tries to break the clinch but Salcedo is controlling the position.
Salcedo putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Balkan in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
A right handed body shot lands from Salcedo.
Salcedo scores with a hook to the body.
Salcedo with a knee to the head.
Salcedo lands a nice knee to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Salcedo can't find room to land a body shot as Balkan controls the action.
A hook to the body from Salcedo.
Salcedo putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Balkan in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Salcedo scores with a hook to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jose Salcedo dominated that fourth round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Salcedo has taken the fight to the clinch.
Salcedo misses with a body punch.
Salcedo tries to land knees in the clinch but Balkan avoids the damage to the body.
Salcedo misses with a knee to the head.
Salcedo avoids the elbow strike from Balkan, against the cage.
Salcedo throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Balkan blocks it with crossed arms.
Balkan tries to throw a body punch but Salcedo avoids it by throwing Balkan back against the cage.
Salcedo lands a body punch.
Salcedo digs a right hand into Balkan's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Balkan's gas tank.
Salcedo misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A body shot lands from Salcedo.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Salcedo can't find room to land a body shot as Balkan controls the action.
Salcedo is working Balkan over against the cage.
A short body shot lands from Salcedo as the two fighters clinch.
Balkan takes an elbow to the temple.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Salcedo.

It looks like Boris Balkan has been cut.
Salcedo is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Salcedo trying to land knees to the body.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Knees in the clinch landing for Salcedo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salcedo is working Balkan over against the cage.
Salcedo landing knees to the head.
Salcedo lands a nice shot to the body.
Salcedo unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Salcedo is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Balkan is defending well for now.
Balkan prevents a body shot from Salcedo.
Salcedo lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Balkan gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
A left hand lands to the body for Balkan.
Balkan digs a right hand into Salcedo's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Salcedo's gas tank.

Balkan has Salcedo pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Balkan pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Salcedo tumbling to the mat - Balkan dives into Salcedo's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Salcedo wants to sweep but no luck.

Salcedo has his foot on Balkan's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Balkan works his way back into a safe position though.
Balkan with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Salcedo working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Balkan doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Balkan manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Balkan scoring with punches to the head and body.
Boris Balkan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jose Salcedo is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Salcedo trying to control the position.
Balkan landing some decent shots from guard.
Balkan content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Salcedo trying to control the position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Salcedo looking to hit a scissor sweep but Balkan is one step ahead there.
Balkan wants to control from the top but Salcedo keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balkan in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Balkan lands a couple of decent looking shots.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Salcedo preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Salcedo preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Salcedo trying to keep a closed guard but Balkan is proving a slippery customer.
Balkan makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Balkan being controlled here momentarily.
Balkan with a flurry of punches that miss.
Balkan stopping the sweep attempt from Salcedo.
Salcedo is adopting a defensive guard.
Boris Balkan overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Salcedo trying to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balkan postures up in Salcedo's guard and throws a big left but Salcedo blocks it.
Balkan working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Salcedo preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Balkan throwing strikes but missing.
Balkan chips away with some ground and pound.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Salcedo is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Salcedo avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Balkan with a flurry of punches that miss.
Salcedo working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Balkan.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Balkan thows a big elbow that misses.
Balkan working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Balkan trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Salcedo utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Salcedo seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jose Salcedo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Salcedo has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 46:49
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 46:49
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jose Salcedo!
Jose Salcedo is the new heavyweight champion!