PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Boris Balkan (ranked 1163 p4p, 144 weight class) and Cameron Gowing (ranked 2959 p4p, 352 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Balkan
vs
Gowing

207 cm
24
240 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

207 cm
23
265 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Very quick

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Project Mayhem

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 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Boris Balkan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Cameron Gowing!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Emerson Jorge and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gowing lands a jab-cross combination.
Balkan misses with a body kick.
A shot to the liver by Balkan. Beautiful body shot.
Balkan keeps the fight on the outside.
Gowing walks into a left hand.

It looks like Cameron Gowing has been cut.
Gowing takes a jab right on the kisser.
Balkan is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Gowing.
A lazy body kick from Balkan

and Gowing moves into the clinch.
Gowing's coach down at RIO Gym was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Gowing's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Balkan tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Balkan tries to work over Gowing's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Balkan doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Gowing has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Balkan uses from the top position.
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!
Gowing looking for a sweep. Not yet Gowing, not yet.
Gowing bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Balkan's guard.

Gowing trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Balkan keeping moving, preventing Gowing from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balkan utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Balkan looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gowing is one step ahead there.
Gowing throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Balkan holds on and takes a little breather.
Gowing has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Gowing looking to pass the guard.
Gowing trying to control the position from guard on top but Balkan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Balkan preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Gowing not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Gowing fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
A telegraphed right hand from Balkan misses the target.
Boris Balkan is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gowing tries to clinch up
and Balkan counters with a nice uppercut.

Gowing takes the fight into the clinch.
Balkan tries to throw a body punch but Gowing avoids it by throwing Balkan back against the cage.
Balkan landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gowing blocks a body shot from Balkan.
Balkan tries to work over Gowing's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Balkan breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Gowing tries to score a power double leg takedown but Balkan sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Gowing somewhat.
Balkan drops Gowing with a straight left! Oh this is bad for Gowing! Balkan dives in and starts dropping bombs - the referee has no choice but to step in and save him!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:31 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Boris Balkan!
Boris Balkan decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.