PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Georgy Degratov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jack Balance (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Degratov
vs
Balance

179 cm
22
191 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

180 cm
23
195 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Good chin

Decent wrestler
Counter striker
Granite chin

Reaper Combatwear

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Georgy Degratov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jack Balance!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Ben Zyskovitsi and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Balance is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Degratov.

It looks like Jack Balance has been cut.
Balance shoots in looking for a takedown. Degratov tries to sprawl out of it but Balance keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Degratov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Degratov cracks Balance with a right hand to the side of the head.
Balance avoids a punch combination nicely.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Degratov throws a right and a left that Balance avoids nicely.
Balance moves out of range as Degratov strikes.
Degratov throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Degratov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Degratov throws a one two combo.
Degratov throws a sloppy head kick and Balance moves out of range easily.
A combination from Degratov does no damage.
Degratov moves into range and connects with a jab.
Degratov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Balance is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Degratov's half guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Degratov blocking the ground and pound attempt from Balance.
Balance is looking to take a break and control but Degratov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Balance working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Degratov is trying to stand back up but Balance is controlling him
Balance trying to mount his opponent but Degratov defends it.

Degratov manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Degratov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Degratov throws a head kick but Balance moves out of range.
Degratov is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Balance looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Balance fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Degratov manages to avoid it.
Balance blocks a head kick by Degratov.
Balance dodges the punch combination from Degratov.
Degratov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Balance tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Balance lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Degratov at a distance.
Balance misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Degratov.
Balance misses the shot to the body.
Degratov works over Balance's head and body with a nice combination.
Georgy Degratov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Degratov goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

That has opened up Jack Balance's cut even more.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balance blocks a head kick by Degratov.
Degratov misses with a straight left.
Georgy Degratov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Degratov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Degratov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Balance rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Degratov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Balance misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Balance changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Degratov looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Balance prevents Degratov from escaping the position.
Balance wants to lay and pray for a moment but Degratov keeps working.
Degratov taking punishment in the form of punches.
Balance scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Degratov to see if he's OK.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Degratov's face as Balance controls the position.

Balance working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Degratov is trying to buck Balance off.

Balance has hold of Degratov's arm. He's looking for a kimura. Degratov seems comfortable defending it but Balance has shifted his position slighty and is cranking on the arm! Degratov is real pain and he's forced to tap out! Degratov is disgusted with himself for not defending it better but Balance couldn't care less - he's delighted!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:38 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Jack Balance!
Jack Balance thanked the fans post fight for their support.