PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Vic Rains (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Harry Balsac (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rains's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Thunder & Lightning. Vic Rains had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 156.7lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Rains
vs
Balsac

169 cm
20
170 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

198 cm
22
165 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Vic Rains!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Harry Balsac!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Richard Clark and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rains lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Balsac ducks under a wild hook from Rains.
Balsac connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Balsac throws a nice head kick!
Rains throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Balsac.
Rains takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Rains stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Rains wants it to stay on the feet.
A swing and a miss from Balsac.
Balsac shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Rains but Rains pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Rains throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Rains throws a looping overhand right but Balsac ducks down to avoid it.

Balsac drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Rains on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Rains tries to get out of the position.
Rains seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Rains might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Balsac slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Balsac is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Rains is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Rains has escaped and now he's on top!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Rains stands up and waves to Balsac to follow him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rains uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Balsac.
Balsac scores with a kick to the body.
Balsac ducks under a wild hook from Rains.
Rains misses with a jab, cross combination.
Balsac will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Balsac.
Rains changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Balsac connects with a single shot there.
Balsac moves out of range of the strikes.
Balsac throws an overhand right that lands on Rains's shoulder, as Rains tries to avoid the shot.
Rains lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Balsac shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Vic Rains has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Harry Balsac.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balsac defending well as Rains loads up on a big left hand.
Rains swings for the body but Balsac moves out of range.
Balsac is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Rains fails to land with a series of punches.
Balsac feints and then cracks Rains's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Rains down.
Rains is breathing heavily.
Rains throws a shot from downtown. Balsac moves away and avoids it.
Rains throws the left hand but Balsac avoids the punch easily.
Rains drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Balsac scores with a nice head shot.
Balsac connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Vic Rains is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rains just misses with a punch to the body.
Balsac misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rains throws a series of strikes that have Balsac backpedaling.
Balsac throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Rains moves into range and connects with a jab.
Rains takes a kick to the side of the head.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Balsac.
Balsac thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Rains if he has to take too many more of those.
Balsac lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balsac misses with a looping left.
Balsac lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Balsac throws a nice inside leg kick.
Balsac slips a jab from Rains.
Rains slips a straight right by Balsac.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rains. Balsac does a little dance to reset his feet.
Balsac on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Balsac misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Balsac throws a head kick but Rains moves out of range.
A chopping leg kick lands by Balsac.
Rains stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Balsac.
Rains dodges the punch combination from Balsac.
Rains works over Balsac's head and body with a nice combination.
Balsac pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Rains leaves Balsac with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Balsac throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Rains.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rains throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rains takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Balsac avoids the body shot from Rains.
Balsac throws a nice head kick!
Rains throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Balsac with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Balsac throws a good cross that connects.
Balsac throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rains's waist but Rains gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Balsac off to one side.
Balsac shoots in for a double leg but Rains sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
A combination from Rains does no damage.
Rains keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Harry Balsac seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Good exchange - Balsac coming out on top.
Balsac shoots in for a double leg but Rains sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Balsac lands a jab.
A jab lands there for Rains.
Rains lands with a straight right. Balsac didn't see that one coming.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Harry Balsac dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Balsac throws a head kick that misses.
Balsac uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rains.
Balsac slips under a jab.
Balsac takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Balsac throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Rains's head.
The fighters circling - Balsac throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Rains scores with a body shot.
Danga de danga de dang - Rains scores with a four punch combination!
Rains throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Rains lands with a right hand.
Balsac misses with a head kick.
Balsac on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Balsac keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Balsac scoring well with a low kick there.
Rains ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Balsac moves away.
Balsac lets loose with a powerful body kick. Rains will feel that in the morning.
Harry Balsac seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rains uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Balsac.
Rains will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Rains takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balsac lands a nice leg kick that just misses Rains's sensitive parts.
Balsac avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Balsac moves out of range of the strikes.
Balsac uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rains.
Balsac swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Rains tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Balsac moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Rains waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Balsac.
Balsac scores with a head kick.
Balsac connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Rains misses with a wild body shot.
Rains throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rains steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Balsac.
Balsac goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Rains is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Balsac lands a head kick. Rains smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Rains blocks a jab.
Good leg kick by Balsac there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balsac lands a right hook to the body.
Rains walks into a jab.
Rains stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Balsac.
Rains misses with a wild combination.
Vic Rains is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Balsac looks to score with a jab to the body but Rains is just out of range.
Balsac throws a head kick that Rains semi-blocks.
Balsac thuds his shin into the meat of Rains's side.
Rains avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Rains will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Balsac.
Balsac lands with a kick to the ribs.
Balsac avoids the body shot from Rains.
Good leg kick by Balsac there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
A chopping leg kick lands by Balsac.
Rains takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Balsac thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Rains if he has to take too many more of those.
A big left from Rains misses.
Rains takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balsac jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Balsac lands a nice hook to Rains's body. Rains takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Balsac plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Rains on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Balsac. Balsac obviously looking to wear him down.
Balsac throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Balsac misses with a looping left.
Balsac misses with a few strikes there.
Balsac throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Rains.
Balsac feints and then cracks Rains's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Rains down.
A head kick from Balsac lands but Rains takes it in his stride.
Balsac fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rains manages to avoid it.
Rains misses with a combination
and Balsac counters with a flying knee. Nice.
A solid leg kick lands there for Balsac.
Balsac lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Balsac throws a quick inside leg kick.
Rains throws a series of punches but Balsac avoids them all with ease.
Balsac lands with a nice body punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rains moves away from the strike by Balsac.

Balsac feints and as Rains raises his hands in defense, Balsac changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Balsac trying to control but Rains is working from the bottom.
Balsac trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Balsac drops back looking for a leg! Rains is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Rains manages to kick Balsac off! Balsac jumps back into Rains's guard.
Balsac is fighting to break Rains's control of his arms but Rains is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Balsac drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Balsac jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Harry Balsac 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. And we move into the final round!

Rains scores with a nice head shot.
Balsac takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Balsac takes a swing at Rains's ribcage but misses.
Balsac lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
No joy there for Balsac, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A punch lands to the side of Balsac 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Rains slaps away a takedown attempt from Balsac, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Rains throws a combination that misses
and Balsac counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Rains takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Rains takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Rains bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Balsac's head backwards.
Left hook, right uppercut from Rains.
Balsac lands with a thumping leg kick.
Rains fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Balsac manages to avoid it.
Rains works the jab nicely.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Balsac ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Balsac fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balsac throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rains takes a swing at Balsac's ribcage but misses.
Rains throws a nice looking combination but Balsac bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Rains throws out a loose jab but Balsac uses good head movement to avoid it.
Balsac throws a head kick that Rains semi-blocks.
Balsac scores with a jab. Rains acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Rains takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Balsac pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Rains moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Rains bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Balsac fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Rains.
Balsac bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Rains throws a right and a left that Balsac avoids nicely.
Rains fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Rains slips a jab and a cross from Balsac.
Balsac throws a nice head kick!
Danga de danga de dang - Balsac scores with a four punch combination!
Rains throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rains waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Balsac.
Balsac throws a looping overhand right but Rains ducks down to avoid it.
Balsac connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Rains swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Balsac lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Balsac shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Rains but Rains pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Vic Rains has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Harry Balsac.
Rains misses the shot to the body.
Balsac shoots for a double leg takedown but Rains sprawls well. He's pushed Balsac's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A jab from Balsac misses.
Rains scores with a decent looking hook.
Rains misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Balsac.
Balsac changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rains tries to avoid it but Balsac manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rains to the ground. Rains escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Rains scores with a one two! Balsac had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Balsac lands with a kick to the temple. Rains shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Balsac shoots in for a double leg but Rains sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Balsac bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rains works over Balsac's head and body with a nice combination.
Balsac moves out of range of the strikes.
Balsac shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Rains sprawls well. Rains wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Balsac gets slowly back to his feet.
Rains misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Balsac takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Rains misses with a combination

and Balsac counters with a nice double leg into side control. Rains won't be happy with that.

Balsac working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Balsac goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Rains rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Balsac's guard! Nice work there by Rains!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rains sitting in guard here, content to control.
Rains has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Balsac is proving hard to escape from.
Vic Rains has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Balsac is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Rains defends well.
Harry Balsac is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Balsac is adopting a defensive guard.
Rains is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

And that's the end of the fight!
Harry Balsac comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Balsac 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 Donald Grub scores the fight 27:30
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Harry Balsac!