PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between James Valiquette (ranked 23976 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thomas Balzli (ranked 6874 p4p, 0 weight class). Thomas Balzli has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Valiquette
vs
Balzli

200 cm
19
250 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

182 cm
25
260 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Powerful

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, James Valiquette!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Thomas Balzli!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Alec Ball and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Balzli throws a hook but Valiquette blocks it.
Thomas Balzli seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Valiquette ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Valiquette shoots in but Balzli avoids the takedown attempt easily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Valiquette.
Valiquette tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Balzli manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Balzli dives in and scores a takedown into Valiquette's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Balzli content to stall in guard here.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Balzli's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Valiquette throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

Valiquette had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Balzli defends it easily.
Balzli lands a couple of digs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balzli looking to pass the guard.
Valiquette will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Balzli not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Valiquette knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Balzli on the ground.
Balzli scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Balzli postures up and lands a big shot to Valiquette's brow.
Balzli keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Valiquette's head.
Valiquette is trying to keep Balzli in close.
Balzli slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Valiquette throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balzli lands a couple of elbows.
Balzli controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Balzli scoring with punches to the head and body.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Balzli lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Balzli is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Balzli landing some decent shots from guard.

Valiquette is rocked!
Balzli showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
It looks like Balzli might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balzli lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Balzli controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Valiquette 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.
Balzli cracks Valiquette with a solid left hand.
Oh Valiquette is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Valiquette is breathing heavily.
Balzli loads up on a big left hand. Valiquette felt that one! He's just covering up now, not defending himself intelligently - Balzli looks towards the ref and unloads with 3 more big shots and the ref has no choice but to stop the fight! Valiquette can't hide his disappointment, as Balzli celebrates the victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Thomas Balzli!
Our winner, Thomas Balzli, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.