PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tim Howler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Boomer Balistia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Howler's entrance music is Manowar - Thor (The Powerhead). A fine choice. Tim Howler could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Boomer Balistia's chin.

Howler
vs
Balistia

210 cm
20
265 lbs
0 - 6 - 0

180 cm
25
225 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

Good takedowns
Excellent boxer
Intelligent

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 0 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Tim Howler!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Boomer Balistia!
The judges for this bout are Summer Carpenter, Eliza Hachem and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Howler stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Howler wants it to stay on the feet.
Howler tries to bum rush Balistia with a series of wild strikes but Balistia uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Balistia avoids a punch combination nicely.
Howler works over Balistia's head and body with a nice combination.
Balistia wants to clinch up but Howler keeps it at a distance.
Howler swats away the attempt to clinch by Balistia.
Howler throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Horrible takedown by Balistia or perhaps it was just good defense by Howler which made him look bad.
Balistia misses with a low kick as Howler jumps back.
Howler swinging wildly here.
Howler throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Balistia.
Balistia tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Howler paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Howler rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Balistia moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Howler blocks a head kick by Balistia.

Balistia gets a double leg takedown into Howler's guard.
Howler wants to sweep but no luck.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balistia wants to control from the top but Howler keeps moving.
Howler is looking to stand up but Balistia isn't so interested in that idea.
Balistia trying to control but Howler is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Boomer Balistia was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Howler misses with a double jab

and Balistia counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Balistia tries to break free but Howler pushes him back against the cage.
Howler is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Tim Howler has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Boomer Balistia.
Howler tries to break the clinch but Balistia is controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balistia tries to circle away but Howler has him pinned against the cage.
Howler working hard to break the clinch.
Balistia changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Howler fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Balistia lands with a nice body punch.
Howler throws a series of punches but Balistia avoids them all with ease.
Nice sprawl there from Howler as Balistia shoots in.
Tim Howler seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Howler swinging wildly here.
Balistia dodges the punch combination from Howler.
Howler misses with a few strikes there.
Howler misses with a jab, cross combination.
Howler is breathing heavily.
A punch combination from Balistia misses.
Howler swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Balistia decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Balistia is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Howler defends it well.
Balistia throwing shots but Howler is blocking nicely.

Balistia looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Balistia seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Howler does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balistia wants to pass the guard but Howler is defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Howler is trying to stand back up but Balistia is controlling him
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Boomer Balistia dominated that round.
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.

Howler misses with a double jab
and Balistia counters with a series of strikes. Howler will be more careful next time no doubt.

Oooooh!!! Balistia has knocked Howler down with a huge combo! Balistia steps away and waves a wobbly Howler back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!

It looks like Tim Howler has been cut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Howler throws a right and a left that both miss.
Howler tries to bum rush Balistia with a series of wild strikes but Balistia uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Left hook, right uppercut from Howler.
Howler misses with a two punch combination.
Balistia shoots in for a takedown but Howler shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Balistia tries to clinch up but Howler circles away and keeps his distance.
Howler tries to bum rush Balistia with a series of wild strikes but Balistia uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Howler throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Balistia is trying hard to land a takedown here. Howler sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Howler misses with a jab, cross combination.
Howler uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Balistia.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Balistia shoots in for a double leg but Howler sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Tim Howler has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Boomer Balistia.
Howler fails to land with a series of punches.
Some wild striking there from Howler.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Balistia.
Balistia wants to clinch up but Howler keeps it at a distance.
No luck for Balistia with that takedown attempt.
Balistia throws a push kick but Howler slaps the foot to one side.
Howler swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Balistia counters with a two punch combo.
Howler avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Howler swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Balistia counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Balistia shoots in for a takedown but Howler shows good takedown defense.
Balistia looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
A punch combination from Howler misses.
Balistia misses with a few strikes there.
Howler fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Tim Howler is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Howler throws a right and a left that Balistia avoids nicely.
Howler misses with a two punch combination.
Balistia looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Howler is fending him off so far but Balistia persists. Nope, Howler circles away and we're back to standing.
Howler throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Howler slaps away a takedown attempt from Balistia, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Howler lands a two punch combo.
Howler misses with a series of wild punches.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Howler swats away the attempt to clinch by Balistia.
Howler throws a right and a left that Balistia avoids nicely.

Balistia closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Howler did well to prevent Balistia getting side control.

Balistia looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Howler tries to kick Balistia off but Balistia keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Balistia wants to take a breather but Howler is having none of it.

Balistia is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Howler blocking the ground and pound attempt from Balistia.
Howler on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Howler tries to get out of the position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Howler is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Boomer Balistia showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Tim Howler's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Howler's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Howler duly obliges.
Howler misses with a series of wild punches.
Balistia is looking to clinch but Howler is avoiding it.
Balistia closes the distance and clinches up with Howler, looking for a takedown. Balistia pushes Howler against the cage but Howler circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Balistia lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Howler backs up against the cage.
Balistia looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Howler is fending him off so far but Balistia persists. Nope, Howler circles away and we're back to standing.
Balistia will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Tim Howler has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Boomer Balistia.
Some wild striking there from Howler.
Balistia misses with a few strikes there.
No joy there for Howler, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Balistia avoids a punch combination nicely.
Balistia takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Howler misses with a wild combination.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balistia tries for a takedown but Howler sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Howler misses with a combination
and Balistia counters with a series of strikes. Howler will be more careful next time no doubt.

Tim Howler's cut is getting worse.
Howler misses with a combination

and Balistia counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Balistia trying to control but Howler is working from the bottom.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Balistia advances to half guard.
Balistia trying to mount his opponent but Howler defends it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balistia wants to lay and pray for a moment but Howler keeps working.
This has been an exciting period of action!

The ref stands the fighters back up. Boomer Balistia was stalling too much, according to the referee.
The crowd cheers as Balistia lands an impressive looking overhand right. Howler doesn't seem phased though.
Howler throws a right and a left that Balistia avoids nicely.
Howler swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Balistia shoots in for a takedown but Howler shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balistia shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Howler defends it nicely.
Balistia tries to clinch up but Howler circles away and keeps his distance.
Balistia is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Howler.
Balistia throws a head kick but Howler moves out of range.
Howler's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Howler duly obliges.
Howler rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Balistia moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Howler throws a right and a left that both miss.
Howler falls off balance throwing a combination
and Balistia counters with a right hand to the body.
Howler throws a right and a left that Balistia avoids nicely.
Balistia throws a sloppy head kick and Howler moves out of range easily.
Howler throws a left and a right that both miss
and Balistia counters with a right hand to the body.
Balistia scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Howler throws a combination that misses

and Balistia counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Balistia connects with a nice short shot to Howler's temple.
Balistia tries to stand and escape but Howler actually recovers to full guard.

Howler has his feet on Balistia's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Howler misses with a series of wild punches.
Tim Howler has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Boomer Balistia is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Howler enables Balistia to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Howler manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

And that's the end of the fight!
Boomer Balistia comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Balistia 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 Summer Carpenter scores the fight 27:30
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 27:30
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Boomer Balistia!