PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ontario Blackfoot (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bala Bala (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bala is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Tough at the top. This should be a great matchup!

Blackfoot
vs
Bala

180 cm
22
182 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

185 cm
24
190 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Determined

Knockout

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ontario Blackfoot!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Bala Bala!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Robert Twigg and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bala wants to slow Blackfoot down by chopping away at his legs.
Bala misses with a kick to the body.
Bala looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Blackfoot is fending him off so far but Bala persists. Nope, Blackfoot circles away and we're back to standing.
Blackfoot tests Bala's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Bala throws a sloppy head kick and Blackfoot moves out of range easily.
A chopping leg kick lands by Bala.
Blackfoot lands with a right hand.
Blackfoot misses with a looping left.
Bala cracks Blackfoot with a good jab.
Blackfoot misses with a body shot.
Bala slips a straight right by Blackfoot.
Blackfoot connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

Bala is rocked!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bala avoids the body shot from Blackfoot.
Blackfoot swings for the body but Bala moves out of range.
Blackfoot throws a hook but Bala blocks it.
Blackfoot lands a jab to Bala's midsection.
Blackfoot avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Bala takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Bala throws out a powerful jab.
Bala displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Blackfoot throws out the jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Blackfoot misses the target.
Blackfoot tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bala was well out of range. Poor timing from Blackfoot.
A jab from Bala misses.
Blackfoot misses with an uppercut. Bala saw that one coming.
Blackfoot throws the left hand but Bala avoids the punch easily.
Bala slips under a jab.
Bala chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Blackfoot dodges the punch combination from Bala.

Bala is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Blackfoot's half guard.
Bala looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Bala passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Blackfoot!
Blackfoot has decided that throwing punches whilst being mounted is the best he can manage just now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blackfoot is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Blackfoot is squirming around, avoiding Bala's attempts to control the action.
Blackfoot tries to lock up and control but Bala gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Bala tries to control but Blackfoot wriggling away.
Bala is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Blackfoot wants to control but Bala is having none of it.
Blackfoot swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Bala wants to take his opponent's back but Blackfoot doesn't allow it.
Blackfoot really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Bala looking to finish Blackfoot with some ground and pound. This is bad for Blackfoot!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blackfoot is trying desperately to improve position.
Bala pushing the pace here, looking to move to his opponents back and work for a finish.
Blackfoot has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Blackfoot is looking to get to half guard.
Bala tries to control but Blackfoot wriggling away.
Bala takes Blackfoot's back.
Blackfoot tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Blackfoot sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Blackfoot wants to get back to his feet.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Bala in particular looking to stall.
Blackfoot wants to improve his position but Bala is controlling well.
Bala wants to pass the guard but Blackfoot is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blackfoot striking from half guard on the bottom.
Bala frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Blackfoot tries to reverse the position but Bala maintains control.
Bala blocks Blackfoot's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.

Bala goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Blackfoot is on top in guard.

Blackfoot is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Bala working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Blackfoot.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Bala escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Blackfoot gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Blackfoot thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Bala uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Blackfoot.
Bala lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
A slow jab from Blackfoot misses its intended target.
Bala moves out of range as Blackfoot strikes.
Blackfoot showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Bala.
A looping hook to the body misses from Blackfoot. Bala does a little dance to reset his feet.
Blackfoot misses with a looping left.
Bala closes the distance and lands a one-two.
A leg kick checked by Blackfoot.
Bala slips under a jab.
Bala throws a sloppy head kick and Blackfoot moves out of range easily.
Bala takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Blackfoot misses with an uppercut.
Nice uppercut lands for Blackfoot. That snapped Bala's head back.
Blackfoot scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Blackfoot jabs Bala right on the nose. Bala blinks but takes it well.
Bala is still on wobbly legs! Can Blackfoot finish him?

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bala closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Bala lands in his opponent's guard.
Blackfoot wants to get back to his feet but Bala is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Bala seems to have recovered his senses.
Bala not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Bala drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Blackfoot dives on top into guard.
Bala is breathing heavily.
Blackfoot thows a big elbow that misses.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Blackfoot wants to pass the guard but Bala is keeping the position.

Bala is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Blackfoot is aware though and is defending well.

Blackfoot drops back looking for a leg! Bala is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Bala manages to kick Blackfoot off! Blackfoot jumps back into Bala's guard.

Bala is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Blackfoot defends well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bala working for a triangle but Blackfoot defends it easily.
Blackfoot distracts Bala with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Bala tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Blackfoot throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Bala works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

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

Bala looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Bala looking for a guillotine here but Blackfoot defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blackfoot working some strikes from top position.
Blackfoot won't allow Bala to sweep him here.
Blackfoot trying to control but Bala is working from the bottom.
Blackfoot thows a big elbow that misses.
Blackfoot is working Bala over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Blackfoot connects with a couple of short punches.
Blackfoot loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Blackfoot accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Blackfoot postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Blackfoot wanted to stand there but Bala had control of the position.

Bala had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Blackfoot defends it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bala looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Bala had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Blackfoot defends it easily.
Blackfoot is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Blackfoot postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Blackfoot works over Bala with some ground and pound from guard.
Blackfoot loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Blackfoot working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Bala has his foot on Blackfoot's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Blackfoot works his way back into a safe position though.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Blackfoot is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Blackfoot is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ontario Blackfoot dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Blackfoot lands a jab.
A big right from Blackfoot misses.
Bala misses with a hook. Blackfoot ducked under it nicely.
A big right from Blackfoot misses.
Blackfoot connects with a body shot.
Blackfoot is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Blackfoot slips under a jab.
Blackfoot fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Bala looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Bala staying out of range there.
Bala slips under a jab.
Blackfoot lands a head shot.
Blackfoot throws out a loose jab but Bala uses good head movement to avoid it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Blackfoot throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Blackfoot misses with a looping right.
Ontario Blackfoot is winning the standup battle so far.
Blackfoot pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bala walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Blackfoot checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Bala shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Blackfoot pinned against the cage. Blackfoot gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Blackfoot thuds a left hand into Bala's body.
Blackfoot misses with a straight left.
Blackfoot thows a body shot but no joy.
Bala uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Blackfoot.
Blackfoot throws a hook but Bala blocks it.
Blackfoot throws a jab but it's blocked by Bala.
Blackfoot throws a jab when Bala was well out of range.

Bala scores a takedown into full mount!
Blackfoot can't escape the position.
Bala Bala has got the better of the ground game so far.
Bala thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Blackfoot swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bala looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Bala throwing strikes here but Blackfoot is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Blackfoot tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Blackfoot is working hard here to advance position.
Bala trying to control but Blackfoot is having none of it.
Bala manages to capitalize on a mistake by Blackfoot to take his back!
Bala doesn't have the hooks in and Blackfoot manages to turn into his guard.
Bala looking to hit a scissor sweep but Blackfoot is one step ahead there.

Bala working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Blackfoot doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Blackfoot manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Ontario Blackfoot is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blackfoot seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Blackfoot trying to control the position from guard on top but Bala is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Bala working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Blackfoot doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Blackfoot manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Blackfoot trying to control the position from guard on top but Bala is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Bala working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Blackfoot doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Blackfoot manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Blackfoot controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

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.

Bala looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Bala keeping moving, preventing Blackfoot from controlling successfully.
Bala Bala has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Bala moves away from the strike by Blackfoot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ontario Blackfoot showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Blackfoot, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ontario Blackfoot!