PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Apollo Balboa (ranked 5976 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Tanagul (ranked 25913 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Balboa
vs
Tanagul

187 cm
18
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

186 cm
18
187 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Apollo Balboa !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Joe Tanagul!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Dirk Anderson and Bart Greer.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tanagul circles away from the clinch attempt
and Tanagul counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

Balboa moves into range and clinches up with Tanagul.
The referee is keeping an eye on Tanagul - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Balboa as Tanagul tries to tie him up.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

Tanagul pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Tanagul dives in and scores a takedown into Balboa 's guard.

Balboa 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 one minute gone in the round.

Tanagul wants the takedown. Balboa is fighting it off but Tanagul persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Balboa 's guard against the cage.

Balboa is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Tanagul presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Balboa gets through Tanagul's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Tanagul drops down looking for an ankle pick but Balboa pulls his leg out and moves away.
Balboa tries to clinch there but Tanagul circles away.
Tanagul jabs Balboa to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Balboa shoots in for a takedown but Tanagul shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Tanagul looks for a takedown but Balboa sprawls well.
Balboa shoots in but no luck this time.

Balboa gets the takedown into side control.
Balboa trying to control the position but Tanagul is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balboa in side control, just content to control the action for now.
You can see the frustration on Tanagul's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Tanagul tries to buck Balboa off but Balboa is having none of it.
Balboa controls the position.
Tanagul really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Balboa . If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Balboa shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Tanagul defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Apollo Balboa . That's going to take a lot out of him.
Balboa shoots in looking for a takedown but Tanagul manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Balboa 's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Balboa closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Balboa is breathing heavily.
Tanagul tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Balboa has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Balboa shoots for a double leg takedown but Tanagul sprawls well. He's pushed Balboa 's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Balboa is defended easily by Tanagul.

Tanagul looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Balboa is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Tanagul is controlling him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Apollo Balboa will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
A chopping leg kick lands by Tanagul.
Tanagul throws a push kick but Balboa slaps the foot to one side.
A slapping leg kick lands for Tanagul.
Tanagul avoids the head kick by Balboa .
Tanagul lands with a nice combination. Balboa backs away looking to recover.
Balboa avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Tanagul shoots in looking for a takedown. Balboa tries to sprawl out of it but Tanagul keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Balboa manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Some wild striking there from Balboa .

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanagul is trying hard to land a takedown here. Balboa sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Balboa throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Tanagul's waist but Tanagul gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Balboa off to one side.
Tanagul comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Tanagul with a jab.
Balboa scores with a head kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Tanagul throws a wild body kick that Balboa sees coming a mile off.

Tanagul drives through and clinches with Balboa against the cage.
Tanagul pressing his opponent against the cage.
Tanagul is defending well against a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balboa changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Tanagul fights it off and pushes away nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Apollo Balboa . That's going to take a lot out of him.
Balboa chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Tanagul can pounce on him.
Apollo Balboa is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Balboa stuffs the takedown.
Balboa looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Balboa goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nice takedown defense from Tanagul. No joy for Balboa on that attempt.
Apollo Balboa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A telegraphed right hand from Balboa misses the target.
Tanagul tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Tanagul thows a body kick. Balboa tries to catch it but that hurt him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balboa lands with a kick to the temple. Tanagul shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

Tanagul pushes Balboa up against the cage in a clinch.

Tanagul breaks from the clinch.
Tanagul shoots in for a double leg but Balboa sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Balboa clinches.

Balboa breaks the clinch.
Balboa gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Balboa takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Joe Tanagul seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Tanagul lands a two punch combo.
Horrible takedown attempt by Tanagul or perhaps it was just good defense by Balboa , which made it look bad.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Balboa drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Tanagul has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Balboa is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Balboa effectively controlling the action here.

Tanagul breaks the clinch.

Tanagul gets tackled into the cage by Balboa . Balboa maintains the clinch.
Tanagul tries to break the clinch but Balboa is controlling the position.
Balboa is trying to pull guard but Tanagul has him pressed against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Tanagul showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Balboa rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Tanagul connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Balboa throws a sloppy head kick and Tanagul moves out of range easily.
Tanagul is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Tanagul misses with a two punch combination.
Balboa gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Tanagul counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Balboa tries to clinch up but Tanagul circles away and keeps his distance.
Tanagul misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Tanagul shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Balboa 's guard.

Balboa pushes Tanagul off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tanagul moves into the clinch.

Balboa pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Tanagul moves out of range of the body kick.
Balboa shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Tanagul but Tanagul pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Tanagul fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Balboa sprawls well initially but Tanagul persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Balboa has one foot on Tanagul's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tanagul darts in looking for a takedown but Balboa gets double underhooks and turns Tanagul into the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Balboa .
Tanagul tries for a takedown but Balboa sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Apollo Balboa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joe Tanagul.
Balboa misses with a body kick.
And Tanagul responds with a good body kick, but Balboa manages to step out the way in time.
Balboa shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Tanagul shoots in looking for a takedown but Balboa manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Tanagul's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Tanagul!
Balboa tries to score a power double leg takedown but Tanagul sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Balboa somewhat.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Tanagul! But no joy.
Tanagul looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Balboa is fending him off so far but Tanagul persists. Nope, Balboa circles away and we're back to standing.
Balboa looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balboa shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Tanagul sprawls well. Tanagul wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Balboa gets slowly back to his feet.
Balboa avoids the head kick by Tanagul.

Balboa has closed the distance and engaged Tanagul in a clinch.
Balboa leaning his opponent against the cage.
Tanagul is trying to break free.
Tanagul is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Tanagul fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Balboa lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Tanagul is trying to maintain the position but Balboa is very close to passing his half guard.
Balboa is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Tanagul keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.

Balboa postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Tanagul to stand up.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Apollo Balboa .
I think Balboa has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Santiago Holmes scores the fight 29:28
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 29:28
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Apollo Balboa !