PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nino Balducci (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Christopher Archangel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Nino Balducci has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Balducci
vs
Archangel

196 cm
21
275 lbs
4 - 7 - 0

193 cm
24
277 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Solid 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 4 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Nino Balducci!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Christopher Archangel!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Russell Pearce and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Balducci moves in looking to clinch but Archangel pushes him off.

Archangel scores with a takedown into Balducci's guard.
Archangel controls from within his opponent's guard.
Balducci can't keep his opponent in guard - Archangel advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Balducci trying to control from the bottom.
Balducci on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Balducci tries to get out of the position.

Archangel stands up out of the half guard.

Archangel looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balducci wants to get back to his feet.
Archangel seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Balducci wants to get back to full guard.
Balducci tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Archangel is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Balducci!
Archangel controlling his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
I looks like Archangel 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.

Archangel gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
Balducci misses with a jab, cross combination.

Archangel shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Archangel passes to full mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Archangel controlling from mount.

Archangel stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
Balducci misses with a hook. Archangel ducked under it nicely.
Archangel circles away from the clinch attempt.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Archangel.
Archangel controls the position.
Balducci tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Archangel takes a little break here. Balducci wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.

Archangel decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Christopher Archangel seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Balducci tries to close the distance and clinch but Archangel swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Balducci tries to close the distance and clinch but Archangel swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Archangel shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Balducci pinned against the cage. Balducci gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Nice takedown defense from Balducci. No joy for Archangel on that attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Archangel swinging wilding here.
Archangel keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Balducci.

Archangel instigates a clinch.

Archangel escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Archangel shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Balducci is trying to defend but Archangel finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Archangel decides to stand up.
Archangel throws a wild body kick that Balducci sees coming a mile off.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Archangel feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Archangel stands up from Balducci's guard - Archangel perhaps looking for a knockout.
Some wild striking there from Balducci.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balducci misses with a leg kick.

Archangel shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.

Archangel stands up from mount. Strange move.
Archangel steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Balducci.
Archangel misses with a wild combination.
Balducci fails to land with a series of punches.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Archangel defending well as Balducci loads up on a big left hand.

Balducci closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Archangel manages to break the clinch.

Archangel clinches with his opponent.
Nice body punch from Archangel - that landed with a thud.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

Archangel manages to break the clinch.

Archangel shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Balducci is trying to defend but Archangel finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Balducci is looking to get back to full guard here but Archangel has managed to pass to side control instead.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Archangel controlling from mount.

Archangel stands up from mount. Strange move.

Archangel shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Archangel advances to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Archangel escapes and gets back to his feet.

Archangel gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Archangel lands a body punch.
Archangel lands a body punch.

Archangel manages to pull guard.
Archangel bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Balducci's guard.
Archangel slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Christopher Archangel has got the better of the ground game so far.

Archangel gets to his feet. Balducci looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Archangel feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Archangel passes Balducci's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Archangel stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.

Archangel looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Archangel gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Archangel closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Balducci to the mat! Balducci manages to get full guard.

Archangel stands up and waves to Balducci to follow him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Christopher Archangel showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Archangel bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Archangel moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Balducci is looking for a sweep.
Balducci struggling a bit here.

Archangel stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Balducci is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Archangel.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Archangel is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Balducci's half guard.
Archangel passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Balducci!

Archangel stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
Balducci swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Archangel shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Archangel controlling from mount.
Balducci is looking to get to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Archangel content just to control the position here.
Archangel's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Archangel get's back to his feet.
Balducci throws a series of punches but Archangel avoids them all with ease.
Archangel fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

Archangel shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Archangel showed some decent athleticism there.

Archangel escapes and gets back to his feet.
Nino Balducci has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Balducci gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Christopher Archangel is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Balducci throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Archangel escapes and throws Balducci's legs to the side, diving into side control!

And that's the end of the fight!
Christopher Archangel comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Archangel 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 John Kavanagh scores the fight 25:30
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 25:30
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Christopher Archangel!