PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Belle Sebastian (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tony Bale (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Sebastian
vs
Bale

178 cm
24
200 lbs
11 - 6 - 0

194 cm
23
215 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent MT
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Belle Sebastian!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Tony Bale!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Aafke Stam and Paul Aken.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sebastian keeps the fight on the outside.
Sebastian half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Sebastian looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Bale takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Bale misses with the combination.
Bale throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Bale misses with a combination

and Sebastian counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Sebastian is nestled in close to Bale, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Sebastian throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Sebastian throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Sebastian sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Bale defending well though.
Sebastian sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Bale defending well though.
Bale tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Sebastian has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Sebastian unloading with bombs!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bale wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Sebastian.
Sebastian trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Bale avoids a series of strikes thrown by Sebastian.
Sebastian throwing strikes here but Bale is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Sebastian throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Bale because Sebastian loaded up on that one.
Bale holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Sebastian tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Bale is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sebastian throwing strikes here but Bale is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Sebastian breaks from Bale's wrist control and lands an elbow.

It looks like Tony Bale has been cut.

Sebastian goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Bale is on top in guard.
Sebastian 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.
Sebastian is working hard here to advance position.
Sebastian looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sebastian bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Bale's guard.

Bale looking to control.
Sebastian wants to pass the guard but Bale is keeping the position.
Sebastian landing with the ground and pound.
Sebastian wants to control from the top but Bale keeps moving.
Sebastian is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Bale is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Sebastian is controlling him.
Sebastian throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Bale works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sebastian showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Sebastian wants to control from the top but Bale keeps moving.
Sebastian pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bale is keeping the position for now.
Sebastian scoring with punches to the head and body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sebastian throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Sebastian trying to control the position from guard on top but Bale is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sebastian loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Belle Sebastian dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Tony Bale's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Good leg kick by Sebastian there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Bale misses with a hook. Sebastian ducked under it nicely.
Sebastian's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Bale connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Sebastian scrambles back to his feet.
Sebastian uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bale.
Bale swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A telegraphed right hand from Bale misses the target.
A punch lands to the side of Sebastian 's head but he takes it in his stride.

It looks like Belle Sebastian has been cut.
Bale misses with a hook. Sebastian ducked under it nicely.
Sebastian appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Bale connects with a crisp jab.
Bale throws a series of punches but Sebastian moves out of range.
Tony Bale seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sebastian connects with a leg kick. Bale looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Bale swinging wildly here.
Sebastian moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bale looks to land a right hand but Sebastian moved out of range.
Bale throws a lazy uppercut
and Sebastian counters with a body kick.
Sebastian thumps Bale with a low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Sebastian - that will leave a mark!
Sebastian buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Sebastian with a hook.
Bale slips under a jab from Sebastian.
Tony Bale seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sebastian throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.

Sebastian scores with a takedown into Bale's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sebastian in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Sebastian postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Sebastian pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bale is keeping the position for now.
Sebastian working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Bale's head.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sebastian accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sebastian throws a big right hand that misses.
Sebastian postures up in Bale's guard and throws a big left but Bale blocks it.
Bale working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sebastian.
Sebastian content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sebastian postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Sebastian with a flurry of punches that miss.
Sebastian trying to control but Bale is working from the bottom.
Sebastian distracts Bale with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Bale 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.
Bale keeping moving, preventing Sebastian from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sebastian trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Sebastian wants to control from the top but Bale keeps moving.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
A jab from Bale misses.
Sebastian buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
A solid leg kick lands there for Sebastian.
A jab from Bale misses.
Bale is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A slapping body kick lands there for Sebastian.
Sebastian slips a jab from Bale.
Bale tries to land a front kick but Sebastian steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Bale wants to clinch up but Sebastian keeps it at a distance.
Tony Bale is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Sebastian.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Bale! But no joy.
Sebastian is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Bale can do to turn this around?
Sebastian drops his hands momentarily and Bale takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Bale throws an overhand right that lands on Sebastian's shoulder, as Sebastian tries to avoid the shot.
Sebastian throws a series of punches but Bale moves out of range.
Bale swings for the body but Sebastian moves out of range.
Sebastian half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Bale avoids the body shot from Sebastian.
Bale scores with a punch to the head.
Bale misses with a head kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sebastian tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Sebastian walks into a stiff left hand from Bale.
Bale tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sebastian paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Sebastian drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

Bale gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Sebastian to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Sebastian content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Belle Sebastian will probably get the nod.
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! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Sebastian throws a sloppy head kick and Bale moves out of range easily.
Bale misses with a series of wild punches.
A little feinted left hand from Sebastian on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

Sebastian scores with a takedown into Bale's guard.
Bale is pulling down on Sebastian's head. It's preventing any offense from Sebastian, at least for the moment.
Sebastian makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sebastian tries to free his leg and advance position but Bale is retaining full guard.
Sebastian stays in close to Bale's body and controls the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sebastian postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Bale keeping full guard, as Sebastian tries to pass.
Sebastian stands up over Bale, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Sebastian throwing strikes but missing.
Sebastian controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Bale has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Sebastian has passed into side control.
Sebastian postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Sebastian scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Bale to see if he's OK.
An elbow from Sebastian crashes against the mat.
Sebastian misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bale is trying to control Sebastian's posture but Sebastian avoids it.
Sebastian scoring with punches and elbows.
Bale gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Sebastian throws a strike but Bale avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Bale looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Sebastian controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Bale manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bale misses with the head strike.
Belle Sebastian is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Bale is working Sebastian over against the cage.
Sebastian jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Bale walks away with a smile on his face. Sebastian gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Bale throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Sebastian sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Sebastian blocks a jab.
Bale takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Bale might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Sebastian checks a leg kick.
Tony Bale has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sebastian misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bale.
Bale moves out of range of the body kick.
Bale looks to land a right hand but Sebastian moved out of range.
Bale throws a poor cross that misses

and Sebastian counters with a single leg into guard. Bale didn't expect that.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sebastian stands and throws Bale's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Check out the look on Sebastian's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!

And that's the end of the fight!
Belle Sebastian showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Sebastian, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Patrick Alders scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Belle Sebastian!