PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Garegin Balayan (ranked 328 p4p, 51 weight class) and Afeef Isa Baba (ranked 149 p4p, 25 weight class). Balayan comes to the cage accompanied by Troika. Baba has chosen Nation Arabic Orchestra as his entrance music. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Balayan
vs
Isa Baba

180 cm
32
170 lbs
27 - 11 - 0

181 cm
38
172 lbs
21 - 7 - 2

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Urban Fighter
Zenith Nutrition (160q/$200)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 27 - 11 - 0, fighting out of London, Garegin Balayan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 7 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Afeef Isa Baba!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Sosuke Kotani and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice defenses there by Baba.
Balayan has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Dr Hatsumi's Clinic in the buildup to the fight.
Balayan sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Balayan misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Baba.
Balayan catches Baba with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Balayan scores with a punch to the head.
The fighters circling - Balayan throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Balayan misses with a wild body shot.
Balayan connects with an inside leg kick.
Balayan throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Balayan tried to score with a low kick but Baba checks it.
Balayan throws a low kick but Baba moves out of range easily.
Balayan cracks the inside of Baba's front leg.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Balayan.
Baba gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Balayan counters with a stiff right hand.
Balayan wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Balayan just misses with a punch to the body.
Baba takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baba fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Balayan is out of range.
Baba fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Balayan has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
A bone on bone clash there as Balayan blocks the leg kick.
Balayan throws a low kick, looking for Baba's leg but Baba calmly moves out of range.
Baba throws a hook but Balayan blocks it.
Baba fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Balayan.
Balayan lands with an uppercut that bounces Baba off the cage and back into range.
Balayan tries to land a front kick but Baba steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Baba throws a big counter head kick but Balayan avoids it with no problem.
Balayan moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Baba checks a low kick from Balayan.
Baba moves out of range of the body kick.
Balayan fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Baba on the side of the head.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Balayan lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Baba has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Baba and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Baba connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Baba misses with a body kick.
Baba is looking to slow Balayan down with leg kicks.
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!
Balayan misses with a low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balayan cracks Baba with an open hand slap.
Balayan tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Baba was well out of range. Poor timing from Balayan.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Baba checks a leg kick.
Balayan throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Balayan ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
It looked like Balayan wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Baba misses with a body shot.
Balayan checks a leg kick.
Balayan misses with a hook. Baba ducked under it nicely.
Baba throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Baba throws a wild body kick that Balayan sees coming a mile off.
Balayan throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Balayan lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Balayan misses with a wild body shot.
Balayan throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Baba swings widly with a right hand
and Balayan counters with a body kick.
Baba on the wrong end of a nice jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balayan looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Balayan throws an off balance right hand
and Baba counters with a left to the body.

Balayan has Baba up against the cage in a clinch.
Balayan throws a head punch that misses.
Baba lands a nice shot to the body.
A shot in the inside from Baba.
Balayan tries a body shot but Baba blocks it.
Balayan lands with a short shot to the head.
Baba takes a shot to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Baba.
Balayan throws a punch but it's blocked by Baba.
Baba lands a shoulder strike.
Baba blocks an uppercut.
Balayan working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Baba blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Balayan tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Balayan works on Baba's body with a couple of short punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balayan working aggressively here.
Balayan doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Baba fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Baba lands a body shot.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Balayan.
Balayan goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Balayan tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Baba's elbow.
Baba swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Balayan throws a head punch that misses.
Balayan misses with a body punch.
Baba goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Baba misses with a hook from the clinch.
Baba blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Balayan tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Balayan scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Balayan lands a body punch.
Balayan blocks an uppercut.
Balayan swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Baba has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Balayan seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Baba can turn it around.
Baba works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Garegin Balayan dominated that round.
That's time! Balayan's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Baba goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Baba throws a push kick but Balayan slaps the foot to one side.
A counter left hand to the body from Balayan misses its target.
Baba looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Balayan throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Baba.
Baba lands a jab.
Baba misses with a low kick.
An inside leg kick from Balayan misses.
Balayan closes the distance but Baba moves to the side
and Baba makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Balayan is looking to chop away at Baba's legs.
Garegin Balayan is winning the standup battle so far.
Balayan takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baba scores with a jab to the head.
Baba misses with a head kick.
Baba scores with a jab to the body.
Balayan is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Baba can do to turn this around?
Balayan throws the kick towards the body but Baba avoids it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Balayan throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balayan throws a big shot that misses.
Balayan tries to close the distance and clinch up but Baba swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Baba throws the kick towards the body but Balayan avoids it.
Baba throws a low kick but Balayan moves out of range easily.
Balayan throws a leg kick that misses.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Baba.
A nice inside leg kick there by Balayan. That's going to slow Baba down.
Baba lands with a hook. Balayan tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Baba connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Balayan moves out of range as Baba throws a body kick.
Baba throws a leg kick
and Balayan makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Balayan misses with a straight left.
Balayan on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Balayan blocks a jab.
Balayan throws the kick towards the body but Baba avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balayan thows a left - swing and a miss!
Baba counters with a body kick.
Balayan throws a sloppy head kick and Baba moves out of range easily.
Baba fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Balayan.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Baba scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Balayan throws a front kick aimed at Baba's knee but Baba avoids it well.
Baba is trying to counter with his kicks.
Balayan throws a body shot but no joy.
Baba moves out of range of the leg kick from Balayan.
Baba throws a sloppy head kick and Balayan moves out of range easily.
Balayan takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Baba throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Baba lets loose with a powerful body kick. Balayan will feel that in the morning.
A looping hook to the body misses from Balayan. Baba does a little dance to reset his feet.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Balayan struggles to land a body shot inside as Baba controls his hands.
Balayan blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balayan throws a head punch that misses.
Balayan blocking some punches.
Balayan swings wildly with an uppercut but Baba uses good head movement to avoid it.
Baba struggles to land a body shot inside as Balayan controls his hands.
Baba blocks a body shot from Balayan.
Balayan misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A hook to the body from Balayan.
Garegin Balayan has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Balayan blocks an uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Baba.
Balayan misses with a short punch on the inside.
Baba working aggressively here.
Baba makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Still in the clinch, Balayan scores with a nice short uppercut.
Baba struggles to land a body shot inside as Balayan controls his hands.
Balayan has a couple of punches blocked by Baba.
Balayan misses with a punch to the body.
Baba doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balayan doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Balayan is pushing Baba up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Balayan throws a punch but it's blocked by Baba.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Baba.
Balayan throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Babas head.
A nice left hand lands by Balayan.
Balayan misses with a hook to the ribs.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Balayan.
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!
A short uppercut from Baba.
Baba blocks an uppercut.
Balayan tries to throw a body punch but Baba avoids it by throwing Balayan back against the cage.
Baba tries to throw a body punch but Balayan avoids it by throwing Baba back against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Balayan.
Balayan lands a right hand that snaps the head of Baba backwards.
Nice body punch from Baba.
Balayan misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Balayan misses with a body punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Afeef Isa Baba showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Balayan blocks the body kick.
Balayan is looking to counter the offense by Baba and move into the clinch.
Baba steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Balayan. That one must have hurt.
Balayan throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Baba jabs Balayan right on the nose. Balayan blinks but takes it well.
A lazy body kick from Baba
and Balayan counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Baba digs a good hook to Balayan's body.
Baba looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Balayan takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Balayan connects with the punch.
Balayan fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Baba has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Baba keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Balayan. Baba does a little dance to reset his feet.
Balayan takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Baba on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Balayan lands a jab to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balayan connects with a solid leg kick.
A solid body kick from Baba.
Balayan throws a front kick aimed at Baba's knee but Baba avoids it well.
Baba showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Balayan.
Balayan pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Balayan avoids the body shot from Baba.
Baba takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Baba misses with a body shot.
Baba throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Baba keeps Balayan at a distance using the push kick.
Baba closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Balayan tries to land a leg kick but Baba saw it coming and moves away.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Balayan.
Balayan uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Baba.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balayan chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Baba can pounce on him.
Balayan moves into range and connects with a jab.
Balayan lands a leg kick that knocks Baba off balance momentarily.
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!
Balayan ducks under a wild hook from Baba.
Baba uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Balayan.
Balayan throws a front kick that sends Baba stumbling back into the cage.
Balayan takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Balayan throws out a loose jab but Baba uses good head movement to avoid it.
Baba was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Balayan on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Baba ducks under a wild hook from Balayan.
Balayan connects with an inside leg kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Baba.
Balayan loads up on a big right hand but Baba slips the punch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Balayan looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Baba now looks to counter with a shot at the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baba misses with a body kick.
Baba scores with a jab.
Baba's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Baba throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Baba throws a body punch but Balayan moves out of range.
Baba misses with a kick to the body.
A quick step to the side and Balayan tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Balayan will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Baba misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Baba looks to land a left hand but Balayan moved out of range nicely.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Balayan.
Balayan cracks a nice hook into Baba's ribs.
Baba throws a looping overhand right but Balayan ducks down to avoid it.
Balayan scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
A clash of legs there as Baba blocks the low kick.
Good leg kick by Balayan there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Balayan misses with an uppercut. Baba saw that one coming.
Balayan goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Baba.
Balayan wants to land a leg kick but Baba is out of range.
Baba jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Balayan walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Balayan throws a leg kick but Baba sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Balayan thuds his shin into the meat of Baba's side.
Baba swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Balayan throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Baba misses with a body kick.
Baba misses the jab.
Balayan throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Baba stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Balayan swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Baba pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Balayan misses with a kick to the body.

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 Garegin Balayan.
Well Balayan has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Garegin Balayan!
An out of breath Garegin Balayan thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.