PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ulmes Balta (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ericksson Phillips (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Balta
vs
Phillips

171 cm
23
161 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

175 cm
23
161 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ulmes Balta!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ericksson Phillips!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Wagner Zegers and Nard Betker.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Phillips shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Balta sprawls well. Balta wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Phillips gets slowly back to his feet.
Phillips shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Balta as he avoids it easily.
Phillips shoots in looking for a takedown. Balta tries to sprawl out of it but Phillips keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Balta manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Ulmes Balta has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ericksson Phillips.
Balta displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Phillips.
Balta stuffs the takedown attempt from Phillips. Phillips gets slowly back to his feet.
Balta throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Phillips tries to score a power double leg takedown but Balta sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Phillips somewhat.
Phillips shoots for a takedown but Balta saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Phillips shoots in but no luck this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balta throws an overhand right that lands on Phillips's shoulder, as Phillips tries to avoid the shot.
Phillips fails with a takedown attempt.
Ericksson Phillips seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balta trying to control but Phillips postures up.
Phillips controlling the action here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balta is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Phillips is taking a breather. Balta says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Balta trying to control here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Phillips tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Balta.
Phillips has decided to stand back up but his arm is trapped. Whilst he's worrying about his arm, Balta works to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Balta trying to keep a closed guard but Phillips is proving a slippery customer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ericksson Phillips will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Phillips keeps the fight on the outside.
Phillips has a takedown stuffed.
Phillips slips a jab from Balta.
Balta throws a lazy right hand but Phillips sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A head kick misses from Balta.
Phillips looks to clinch

and Balta counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Balta.
Balta looking to pass the guard.
Phillips is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Phillips might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Balta kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balta in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Balta has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Balta is looking to work some ground and pound but Phillips has wrist control.
Balta looking to pass the guard.
Phillips is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Phillips looking to control but Balta passes into half guard.
Phillips regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Balta.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Balta stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Balta wants it to stay on the feet.
Phillips misses with a takedown attempt - Balta sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Ulmes Balta has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ericksson Phillips.
Balta lands a nice shot that snaps Phillips's head back.
Phillips closes this distance looking for a takedown but Balta circles away.
Phillips blocks a head kick by Balta.
Phillips shoots in but Balta avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Balta tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Phillips was well out of range. Poor timing from Balta.
A solid leg kick lands there for Balta.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Balta is defended easily by Phillips.
Balta loads up on a big right hand but Phillips slips the punch.
Balta misses with an uppercut.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Phillips is defended easily by Balta.
Balta stuffs the takedown attempt from Phillips. Phillips gets slowly back to his feet.
Phillips is breathing heavily.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Phillips.
Balta lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phillips tries to score a power double leg takedown but Balta sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Phillips somewhat.
Phillips gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Balta counters with a good low kick that Phillips was not able to check.
Balta looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Balta clinches up against the cage.

Balta pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Balta slaps away a takedown attempt from Phillips, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Phillips takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Balta moves out of range as Phillips throws a body kick.
Balta throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
The crowd cheers as Balta lands an impressive looking overhand right. Phillips doesn't seem phased though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ulmes Balta dominated that second 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.

Phillips doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Balta counters with a left to the body.
Phillips wants to clinch but Balta slips to the side
letting Balta counter with a right hand.
Balta throws a right hand that Phillips ducks under and follows up with a left that Phillips also avoids with ease.
Phillips tries a low kick but Balta avoids it.
Phillips tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Balta counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Balta.

Balta breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Phillips fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Balta avoids it really well and circles away.
Phillips takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Balta fails with the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Phillips wants to clinch
letting Balta counter with a right hand.
Phillips gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Balta counters with a nice right hand that sends Phillips toppling to the canvas! Phillips scrambles and gets back to his feet - can Balta finish him?!

Phillips is rocked!
Ulmes Balta has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ericksson Phillips.
Balta seems to be stalking Phillips here. He circles momentarily and then unleashes a devastatic head kick! Phillips drops like a stone, out cold! WOW! Are you kidding me!? What a knockout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:29 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Head Kick). Ulmes Balta!
Ulmes Balta is the new lightweight champion!