PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Afrika Bambataa (ranked 7801 p4p, 0 weight class) and Apollo Balboa (ranked 6163 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Bambataa
vs
Balboa

183 cm
18
185 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

187 cm
18
185 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Afrika Bambataa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Apollo Balboa !
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, Dirk Anderson and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bambataa cracks Balboa with a right hand to the side of the head.
Bambataa throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Bambataa wants to clinch up but Balboa keeps it at a distance.

Bambataa gets caught napping as Balboa dives in and scores a takedown. Bambataa manages to retain guard.
Balboa looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Balboa preventing the sweep.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Balboa stops Bambataa from standing up.
Balboa pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bambataa is keeping the position for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Balboa prevents Bambataa from getting back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balboa looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Bambataa wants to stand but Balboa is controlling the position.
Balboa keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Bambataa's head.
Bambataa keeping moving, preventing Balboa from controlling successfully.
Balboa 's corner is telling him to maintain position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Balboa swats away the attempt to clinch by Bambataa.
Bambataa looks to score with a jab to the body but Balboa is just out of range.
Balboa shoots in looking for a takedown but Bambataa manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Balboa 's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Balboa shoots in looking for a takedown. Bambataa tries to sprawl out of it but Balboa keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Bambataa manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Bambataa shoots in but no luck this time.

Balboa clinches with his opponent.
Bambataa being controlled against the cage.

Bambataa successfully pulls guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Balboa gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Balboa lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Balboa .
Bambataa closes this distance looking for a takedown but Balboa circles away.
Bambataa cracks a nice hook into Balboa 's ribs.
Bambataa tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Bambataa fails with a takedown attempt.
Balboa wants to counter with a clinch but Bambataa pushes him away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Afrika Bambataa. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Balboa clinches.

Balboa has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Bambataa clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
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!
Bambataa tries to escape the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bambataa trying to get back to his feet but Balboa is in full control for now.
Bambataa trying to control the hands but Balboa won't let him.
We've been informed that Balboa has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Bambataa is breathing heavily.

Bambataa defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Balboa 's arms.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Balboa keeps control of the position as Bambataa tries to break free.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Apollo Balboa dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Balboa throws a head kick that half lands.
Bambataa tries to clinch up but Balboa circles away and keeps his distance.

Balboa clinches with his opponent.
Balboa can't get the takedown.

Balboa successfully pulls guard.
Bambataa trying to control the position from guard on top but Balboa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Balboa is looking to stand up but Bambataa isn't so interested in that idea.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Balboa pulls Bambataa in close to prevent any damage.
Bambataa wants to control from the top but Balboa keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bambataa is really struggling to control Balboa but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Bambataa working some strikes from top position.
Balboa wants to sweep here but Bambataa controlling him for the moment.
Balboa not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Balboa misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Bambataa throws a big counter combination but Balboa scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Balboa is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Bambataa fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Balboa sprawls well initially but Bambataa persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Balboa has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Bambataa is looking for a kimura here.
Balboa is refusing to be controlled, as Bambataa sits in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bambataa working over Balboa with some ground and pound. Balboa looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Bambataa is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Balboa is just riding it out for now. Bambataa eventually gives up the hold.
Balboa keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Bambataa performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Balboa is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Bambataa pulls his head out easily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bambataa takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
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 Afrika Bambataa will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Bambataa shoots and misses

and Balboa counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Balboa .
Balboa stops a takedown attempt from Bambataa.

Balboa jumps guard and drags Bambataa to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Bambataa stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Balboa swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Balboa working for a triangle but Bambataa defends it easily.
Bambataa pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Balboa is keeping the position for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Balboa working for a triangle but Bambataa defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bambataa trying to control but Balboa is working from the bottom.
Apollo Balboa has got the better of the ground game so far.
Balboa has momentary wrist control but Bambataa slips an elbow through the middle.
Bambataa being controlled here momentarily.
Balboa looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bambataa is one step ahead there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Bambataa looking to sit in guard and control but Balboa gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Balboa stands and steps away. Bambataa gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Bambataa tries to clinch but Balboa moves out of range.
Bambataa throws a left and a right that both miss

and Balboa moves into the clinch.

Balboa breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Balboa scores with a takedown into Bambataa's guard.
Balboa takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bambataa looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Balboa 's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Balboa stands and steps away. Bambataa gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Apollo Balboa seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Bambataa shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Balboa manages to escape and get back to his feet!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Balboa closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Bambataa's guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Bambataa manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Balboa tries to score a body lock takedown but Bambataa shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
A short body shot lands from Bambataa as the two fighters clinch.
Bambataa tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Balboa avoids it.
Bambataa wants to break free but Balboa has control.
Balboa has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Bambataa avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Bambataa can't break the clinch.
Bambataa wants to stall.

Balboa breaks the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Apollo Balboa comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Balboa 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 Michael Johnstone scores the fight 28:29
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 28:29

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