PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Koji Kimura (ranked 2848 p4p, 5692 weight class) and Zenon Balaski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Koji Kimura has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Kimura
vs
Balaski

197 cm
25
259
3 - 0 - 0

187 cm
25
260
0 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Koji Kimura!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Zenon Balaski!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Michael Johnstone and Sandra Marshall.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kimura throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Kimura closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Balaski quickly recovers to half guard.
Balaski wants to get back to full guard.
Balaski makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Balaski.
Balaski looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kimura is one step ahead there.
Balaski trying to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Balaski working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Kimura has passed into half guard!
Kimura looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Kimura has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kimura seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Balaski trying to control here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kimura is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Kimura is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Balaski is looking to control Kimura's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Balaski avoid being mounted?
Kimura is trying to control. Balaski wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Balaski is looking to control Kimura's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Balaski avoid being mounted?

Kimura is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Kimura is trying to work for a kimura but Balaski is defending well.
Balaski regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Balaski looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Kimura connects with a couple of short punches.
Kimura connects with a couple of short punches.
Balaski trying to strike off his back.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kimura accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Kimura is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Kimura preventing the sweep.
Balaski keeping full guard, as Kimura tries to pass.
Kimura postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Balaski looking for a sweep. Not yet Balaski, not yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kimura scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Kimura wants to pass the guard but Balaski is keeping the position.
Kimura is in close to Balaski's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Kimura preventing the sweep.
Balaski managing to control the position.
Balaski bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kimura's guard.

Kimura working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Balaski.

Kimura looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Balaski is posturing up here but Kimura has hold of an arm and he's gone for an armbar! Balaski tries to roll out but it's too tight and Balaski has to tap! Slick submission there by Kimura!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Koji Kimura!
Koji Kimura opened up his post fight interview with a scream to camera that he wants a title shot! Whether he deserves the shot will be up to the management of the organization, so I guess he'll have to wait and see.