PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Phil Baloni (ranked 2884 p4p, 382 weight class) and Anton Shibaev (ranked 2138 p4p, 291 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Baloni
vs
Shibaev

190 cm
28
210 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

190 cm
30
220 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Phil Baloni!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Anton Shibaev!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Gwen Towbar and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Baloni lands with a hook. Shibaev tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Nice uppercut lands for Shibaev. That snapped Baloni's head back.
Shibaev takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

It looks like Anton Shibaev has been cut.
Baloni throws a lazy right hand but Shibaev sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Baloni throws a body punch but Shibaev moves out of range.
Shibaev throws a shot from downtown. Baloni moves away and avoids it.
A jab from Baloni misses.

Baloni clinches up with Shibaev and pushes him back against the cage.
Shibaev doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Baloni digs a right hand into Shibaev's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Shibaev's gas tank.
Baloni lands a shoulder strike.
Shibaev changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Baloni fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Baloni throws a one two combo.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Baloni has Shibaev up against the cage in a clinch.
Baloni is pressed up against the cage. Shibaev has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Baloni down to the mat. Baloni avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Baloni throws a body punch but Shibaev moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shibaev misses with a looping right.
As Shibaev tries to get set, Baloni tries to push him back and clinch up but Shibaev manages to avoid the attempt.
Baloni misses with a looping left.
Baloni fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Baloni misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Shibaev.
Shibaev jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Baloni cracks Shibaev with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Shibaev shoots for a double leg takedown but Baloni sprawls well. He's pushed Shibaev's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Phil Baloni has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anton Shibaev.

Baloni instigates a clinch.
Baloni throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

Baloni has clasped his hands together around Shibaev's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Baloni cracks Shibaev with an elbow. That is naaassty.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Baloni scoring with punches from side control.
Shibaev can't do much from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shibaev tries to buck Baloni off but Baloni is having none of it.
Baloni controlling from side mount.
Shibaev wants to control but Baloni postures up.
Baloni working the ground and pound but Shibaev is defending the strikes.
Shibaev struggling a bit here.
Baloni creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Shibaev manages to work his way to half guard, despite Baloni's best efforts.
Baloni takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shibaev gets full guard.
Baloni has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Shibaev looking for a triangle here. Baloni is fighting it but it looks tight! Shibaev pulls the arm across and this one won't last much longer! Nope, Baloni is tapping out - this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:24 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Anton Shibaev!
An out of breath and clearly excited Anton Shibaev thanked VanDam Clothing for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).