PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Sinhjo Babalu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Stanton Friedmon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Friedmon has chosen Come Get on the Ho Train as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Babalu
vs
Friedmon

168 cm
31
166 lbs
15 - 9 - 1

176 cm
30
162 lbs
17 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid Muay Thai
Experienced

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Good gas tank

Popeye’s Spinach - 159 + 158 Proof Supps

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Sinhjo Babalu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Stanton Friedmon!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Elvis Blanc and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Friedmon moves into the clinch.

Babalu breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Babalu lands a jab to the nose.

Friedmon looking to score a takedown here. Babalu is defending well but Friedmon drives through and ends up in Babalu's guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Friedmon throws a big right hand that misses.
Babalu keeping moving, preventing Friedmon from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Babalu wants to sweep here but Friedmon controlling him for the moment.
Friedmon throwing strikes from guard but Babalu blocks nicely.
Babalu avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Babalu keeping moving, preventing Friedmon from controlling successfully.
Babalu tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Friedmon is looking to work some ground and pound but Babalu has wrist control.
Babalu keeping moving, preventing Friedmon from controlling successfully.
Friedmon is fighting to break Babalu's control of his arms but Babalu is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
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!

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Friedmon on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Horrible takedown by Babalu or perhaps it was just good defense by Friedmon which made him look bad.

Friedmon manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Babalu on his heels. He'll look to pass Babalu's guard now, I'm sure.
Friedmon postures up and lands a big shot to Babalu's brow.
Friedmon lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Friedmon trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Friedmon throws a strike but Babalu rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Babalu has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Friedmon is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Babalu postures up and lands a big shot to Friedmon's brow.

Friedmon is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Friedmon looking for a guillotine here but Babalu defends easily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Friedmon 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.

Friedmon is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Friedmon is pulling down on Babalu's head to control his posture.
Friedmon keeping moving, preventing Babalu from controlling successfully.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Friedmon has his foot on Babalu's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Babalu works his way back into a safe position though.
Babalu wants to control from the top but Friedmon keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Friedmon 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.
Friedmon looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Friedmon not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Babalu uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Friedmon.
Friedmon digs a good hook to Babalu's body.
Babalu misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Friedmon closes the distance and pushes Babalu back into the cage.
Friedmon tries to score a body lock takedown but Babalu shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Friedmon turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Friedmon manages to end up in side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Babalu struggling a bit here.
Babalu parries the strikes from Friedmon easily there. Friedmon is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Babalu to escape.

Friedmon tries for a kimura but Babalu is defending well.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Babalu is trying to control Friedmon's posture but Friedmon avoids it.
Babalu keeping his opponent close.
Friedmon working the ground and pound.
Babalu tries to bench press Friedmon off him but Friedmon keeps the position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Babalu takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Babalu tries to buck Friedmon off but Friedmon is having none of it.
Friedmon working away.
Sloppy strikes there by Friedmon.
Friedmon scores with punches from side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stanton Friedmon dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Friedmon lands with a nice body kick.
Babalu has a takedown stuffed.
Friedmon shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Babalu pinned against the cage. Babalu gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Friedmon gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Babalu doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Friedmon.
Babalu creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Friedmon's defenses.
Friedmon blocks the elbow strike.
Babalu trying to land knees to the body.
Babalu prevents a body shot from Friedmon.
Friedmon struggles to land a body shot inside as Babalu controls his hands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Babalu lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

Babalu breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A thudding body kick lands there by Babalu!

Friedmon rushes Babalu and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Friedmon escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Friedmon takes the fight into the clinch.
Babalu goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Babalu stops a takedown attempt from Friedmon.
Babalu throws an elbow but it misses.
Babalu misses with a short punch on the inside.
Babalu is pushing Friedmon up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Friedmon tries to throw a body punch but Babalu avoids it by throwing Friedmon back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Friedmon takes a knee to the side of the body.
Babalu missing with knees to the body.
Friedmon wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Babalu has him pressed against the cage.
Friedmon is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Babalu pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Sinhjo Babalu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Stanton Friedmon.

Babalu breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Babalu dives in and grabs Friedmon's left leg, looking for a takedown. Friedmon pushes down on Babalu's head and hops out.
Friedmon tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Babalu swivels and escapes.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Babalu throws a right hand that misses
and Friedmon counters with a straight right hand.

Friedmon pushes Babalu up against the cage in a clinch.
Friedmon misses with a body punch.
A right hook to the body lands for Friedmon.
Friedmon blocks a body shot from Babalu.
Babalu gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Friedmon.
Friedmon has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Babalu after a bit of a struggle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Babalu lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Friedmon or not.

Babalu is fighting off a takedown attempt but Friedmon is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Babalu to the mat. Babalu regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Friedmon trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Babalu looking to hit a scissor sweep but Friedmon is one step ahead there.
Friedmon postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Babalu working a defensive guard here.
Friedmon with a nice head shot there.
Babalu avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Friedmon thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Friedmon scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Friedmon postures up.
Stanton Friedmon has got the better of the ground game so far.
Babalu pulls Friedmon in close to prevent any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Babalu keeping moving, preventing Friedmon from controlling successfully.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Friedmon's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Babalu keeping full guard, as Friedmon tries to pass.
Friedmon throwing strikes from guard but Babalu blocks nicely.
Babalu looking to hit a scissor sweep but Friedmon is one step ahead there.
Babalu is trying to control the position but Friedmon postures up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Babalu working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Friedmon.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Babalu seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Friedmon has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Sinhjo Babalu wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Friedmon looks to land a combination but Babalu avoids it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stanton Friedmon 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. This is the final round!

Babalu cracks Friedmon with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Friedmon shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Babalu counters with a solid body kick.
Friedmon looks to land a right hand but Babalu moved out of range.
No luck for Babalu with that takedown attempt.
A solid body kick from Babalu.

Babalu tries to keep at a distance but Friedmon has taken the fight into the clinch.
Babalu is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Babalu prevents a body shot from Friedmon.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Babalu is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Friedmon can't fight it off and eventually Babalu manages to take the fight to the floor. Friedmon looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Friedmon has his foot on Babalu's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Babalu works his way back into a safe position though.
Babalu landing some decent shots from guard.
Babalu preventing the sweep.
Friedmon is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Friedmon working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Babalu doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Babalu manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Friedmon keeping moving, preventing Babalu from controlling successfully.
Babalu tries to free his leg and advance position but Friedmon is retaining full guard.

Friedmon had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Babalu defends it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Babalu with a nice head shot there.
Babalu trying to control the position from guard on top but Friedmon is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Friedmon is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Babalu throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Friedmon works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Babalu tries to free his leg and advance position but Friedmon is retaining full guard.

Friedmon throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Babalu working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Babalu is stalling in the full guard.
Babalu works over Friedmon with some ground and pound from guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Babalu trying to control the position from guard on top but Friedmon is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Friedmon working a defensive guard here.
Friedmon has his hands on Babalu's head, controlling the position.
Friedmon working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Babalu.
Stanton Friedmon is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Friedmon working for a triangle but Babalu defends it easily.
Babalu stays in close to Friedmon's body and controls the position.

Friedmon is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Babalu is aware though and is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Friedmon keeping moving, preventing Babalu from controlling successfully.
Babalu with a flurry of punches that miss.
Friedmon preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Friedmon looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Babalu trying to control but Friedmon is working from the bottom.
Sinhjo Babalu has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Sinhjo Babalu just wasn't active enough.
Friedmon fails with the takedown.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sinhjo Babalu showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Friedmon 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 Gregory Folan scores the fight 28:29
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 28:29
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Stanton Friedmon!
Stanton Friedmon really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that Popeye’s Spinach - 159 + 158 Proof Supps logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.