PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Rafael Balboa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lex Lewis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lex Lewis acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Balboa
vs
Lewis

180 cm
23
134 lbs
3 - 0 - 1

181 cm
23
130 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Mundo Green - World Verde

Crippler's Corner
Mundo Green - World Verde

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rafael Balboa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Lex Lewis!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Felipe Paraventi and Matheus Silva.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lewis shoots in for a takedown but Balboa shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Lewis takes a jab right on the kisser.
Balboa with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Balboa rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Lewis moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Balboa looks to land a combination. Lewis sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Lewis shoots in for a double leg but Balboa sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
The crowd cheers as Balboa lands an impressive looking overhand right. Lewis doesn't seem phased though.
Balboa stuffs the takedown attempt from Lewis. Lewis gets slowly back to his feet.
Rafael Balboa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lex Lewis.
Lewis shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Balboa as he avoids it easily.
Nice shot lands for Balboa.
Lewis closes this distance looking for a takedown but Balboa circles away.
Balboa looks to land a combination but Lewis avoids it well.
Lewis has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Balboa finds it's way round the side to connect with Lewis's head.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Decent striking displayed by Balboa there.
Lewis fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Nice uppercut there from Balboa.
The crowd cheers as Balboa lands an impressive looking overhand right. Lewis doesn't seem phased though.

Lewis gets the takedown into side control.
Balboa is trying to get back to his feet.
Lewis tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Balboa is pushing Lewis's head away, looking to escape. Lewis manages to hold on to the position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lewis is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Balboa has escaped the position, nice work there.
Balboa wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

Lewis tries for a kimura but Balboa is defending well.
Lewis looks gassed!
Balboa is trying to buck Lewis off.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Balboa fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Lewis looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Balboa lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Balboa really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Balboa fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Lewis on the side of the head.
Nice jab there from Balboa.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balboa thuds a left hand into Lewis's body.
Nice uppercut there from Balboa.
Balboa cracks Lewis with a right hand to the side of the head.
Lewis takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Balboa wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Balboa dips to his left and cracks Lewis with an uppercut!
Lewis shoots for a takedown but Balboa saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Lewis shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Balboa but Balboa pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Lewis fails to land the takedown.
Lewis fails with a takedown attempt.
Balboa is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Balboa throws a combination. Lewis tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Balboa with a nice cross.
Balboa scores with a hook to the body. Lewis takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Balboa is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Balboa lands with a cross.
Balboa lands with a nice combination. Lewis backs away looking to recover.
Balboa defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Lewis.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Balboa lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Balboa.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balboa rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Lewis moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Balboa's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Balboa duly obliges.
Balboa will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Balboa connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Lewis avoids a punch combination nicely.
Lewis on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Balboa lands a nice shot that snaps Lewis's head back.
Rafael Balboa is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Balboa throws a shot to the body.
Balboa cracks Lewis with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Balboa works the jab nicely.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Balboa.
A punch lands to the side of Lewis 's head but he takes it in his stride.

Lewis drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Balboa is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Lewis has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Lewis works to advance to full mount. Balboa defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Balboa tries to buck Lewis off but he can't manage it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lewis working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Balboa is squirming around, avoiding Lewis's attempts to control the action.
Balboa wants to get back to his feet.
Lewis can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Balboa is looking to escape.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rafael Balboa dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Lewis shoots in looking for a takedown. Balboa tries to sprawl out of it but Lewis keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Balboa manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Balboa scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

Lewis 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.
Lewis trying to control the position from guard on top but Balboa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lewis controlling from the top position.
Lewis prevents Balboa from getting back to his feet.
Lewis wants to control from the top but Balboa keeps moving.
Lewis is breathing heavily.
Lewis controlling from the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lewis drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Lewis jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Lewis thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Balboa wants to stand up but Lewis is controlling him.

Lewis drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Balboa manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Lewis has Balboa in his guard.
Lewis looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Balboa wants to get up but he can't break Lewis's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Lewis is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Balboa is aware though and is defending well.
Balboa has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Balboa tries to stand but Lewis is controlling from the bottom.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Lewis swings for the body but Balboa moves out of range.
Rafael Balboa is winning the standup battle so far.
Balboa cracks Lewis with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Lewis slips under a jab from Balboa.
Balboa throws a jab but it's blocked by Lewis.

Lewis drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lewis tries to move to mount but Balboa blocks the move with his legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lewis is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Balboa is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Lewis tries to move into full mount but can't pass Balboa's legs.

Lewis swings around for an armbar but Balboa sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Lewis's guard.
Balboa wanted to stand there but Lewis had control of the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Balboa won't allow Lewis to sweep him here.
Balboa wants to get up but he can't break Lewis's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Balboa scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Lewis avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Lewis fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Balboa lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

Balboa closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Balboa wants to get back to striking at distance but Lewis won't allow it.
Balboa tries to circle away but Lewis has him pinned against the cage.

Lewis has clasped his hands together around Balboa's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.

Lewis working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Balboa is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Lewis asserts his dominance and retains side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lex Lewis 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!

Lewis shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Lewis controlling from the top position.
Lewis wants to control from the top but Balboa keeps moving.
Lewis might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Balboa kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

Lewis drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Balboa manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Lewis has Balboa in his guard.

Balboa decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Lewis, up you get!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lewis tries to clinch up but Balboa circles away and keeps his distance.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Balboa scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Balboa throws a series of punches but Lewis moves out of range.
Lewis gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Balboa moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Lewis takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Balboa lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Balboa stuffs the takedown attempt from Lewis. Lewis gets slowly back to his feet.
Nice uppercut lands for Balboa. That snapped Lewis's head back.
Balboa scores with a three punch combo!
Balboa thuds his right hand into Lewis's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
A nice combination there by Balboa.
Lewis closes the distance and clinches up with Balboa, looking for a takedown. Lewis pushes Balboa against the cage but Balboa circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Balboa with a jab.
Balboa lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balboa misses with a two punch combination.
Balboa tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Lewis paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Lewis will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Rafael Balboa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lex Lewis.
Balboa lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
No luck for Lewis with that takedown attempt.
Lewis takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Lewis dodges the punch combination from Balboa.
Balboa lands a nice shot to the body.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Balboa.
Lewis fails with the takedown.
Balboa stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Balboa thuds a left hand into Lewis's body.
Balboa moves into range and connects with a jab.
Good shot there by Balboa.
Lewis drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Lewis shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Balboa but Balboa pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Lewis shoots in for a takedown but Balboa shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balboa lands a really nice looking cross but Lewis seems unphased.
Balboa stuffs the takedown attempt from Lewis. Lewis gets slowly back to his feet.
Balboa lands an overhand right.
Balboa dips to his left and cracks Lewis with an uppercut!
Balboa works over Lewis's head and body with a nice combination.
Balboa scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Balboa throws a series of punches but Lewis avoids them all with ease.
Balboa connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Lewis momentarily.
Balboa scores with a jab to the jaw.
Balboa works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Balboa connects with a jab.
Balboa digs a good body shot into Lewis's ribs.

Lewis looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Balboa!
Lewis fails to advance to Balboa's back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balboa is trying to stand.
Balboa is controlling an arm, preventing Lewis from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.
Lewis can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Balboa is looking to escape.

Lewis is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Balboa has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Balboa!
Balboa won't allow Lewis to sweep him here.
Balboa trying to stand up but can't free himself from Lewis's guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rafael Balboa showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Balboa has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Thiago Cunha scores the fight 29:28
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 29:28
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rafael Balboa!