PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jack LeBalls (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vlad Krukiov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

LeBalls
vs
Krukiov

201 cm
25
261 lbs
11 - 8 - 1

192 cm
27
247 lbs
12 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Balco Boys - Hilo

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 11 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jack LeBalls!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Vlad Krukiov!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Paulo Santos and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Krukiov shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
LeBalls is looking to improve his position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
LeBalls slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
LeBalls looking for a sweep. Not yet LeBalls, not yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

LeBalls is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
LeBalls looking to control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Krukiov shoots for a takedown but LeBalls saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

LeBalls rushes Krukiov and presses him up against the cage.
LeBalls throws an elbow that misses.
LeBalls effectively controlling the action here.
Krukiov jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as LeBalls walks away with a smile on his face. Krukiov gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Krukiov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Jack LeBalls has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vlad Krukiov.
Krukiov dives in and grabs LeBalls's left leg, looking for a takedown. LeBalls pushes down on Krukiov's head and hops out.

LeBalls gets caught flat footed, as Krukiov shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
LeBalls trying to control the position.
LeBalls looking to hit a scissor sweep but Krukiov is one step ahead there.
LeBalls bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Krukiov's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Krukiov escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. LeBalls gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
LeBalls trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
LeBalls sitting in guard, not really doing much.
LeBalls slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
LeBalls looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Krukiov is avoiding damage well.
Krukiov tries to improve position but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
LeBalls connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Krukiov some visible discomfort.
LeBalls lands some shots froms side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Krukiov avoids any damage from the ground and pound of LeBalls.

LeBalls tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

LeBalls looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
LeBalls is trying to ground and pound but Krukiov uses the momentary lack of control by LeBalls to regain half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack LeBalls dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Krukiov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with LeBalls but LeBalls pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Krukiov shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Krukiov showed some decent athleticism there.
Krukiov is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
LeBalls wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Krukiov.
LeBalls tries to hold on but Krukiov postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
LeBalls tries to control the position but Krukiov now has his back.
Krukiov keeps control of the position as LeBalls tries to break free.
Krukiov thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.

LeBalls preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Krukiov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
LeBalls rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
LeBalls is trying to maintain the position but Krukiov is very close to passing his half guard.
LeBalls keeps control of the position for the meantime.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Krukiov is thwarting LeBalls's attempts to control the position.
LeBalls is trying is best to control the position here.
LeBalls is looking for a sweep. Krukiov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
LeBalls wants to control but Krukiov is keeping busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
LeBalls is trying to get back to full guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

LeBalls shoots in and bounces Krukiov off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Krukiov keeping full guard, as LeBalls tries to pass.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
LeBalls showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
LeBalls working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Jack LeBalls will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

LeBalls shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than LeBalls was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
LeBalls landing strikes, looking to finish!
LeBalls throwing strikes but Krukiov uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Krukiov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Jack LeBalls overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

LeBalls is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Krukiov is just riding it out for now. LeBalls eventually gives up the hold.
LeBalls missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Krukiov is refusing to be controlled, as LeBalls sits in half guard.
LeBalls is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Krukiov is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
LeBalls throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Krukiov is looking to improve his position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Krukiov tries for a takedown but LeBalls circles away easily
and LeBalls cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
LeBalls tries to close the distance and clinch but Krukiov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

LeBalls moves into the clinch successfully.
LeBalls tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Krukiov avoids it.

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.
LeBalls lands an elbow that stopped Krukiov in his tracks for a moment.
LeBalls works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
LeBalls trying to land knees to the body.
LeBalls misses with an elbow over the top.
Krukiov takes an elbow to the forehead.
LeBalls tries to land knees in the clinch but Krukiov avoids the damage to the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for LeBalls.
Krukiov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
LeBalls with an attempt at a knee that misses.
LeBalls tries to land knees in the clinch but Krukiov avoids the damage to the body.
LeBalls's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Krukiov dodges an elbow strike from LeBalls.
LeBalls tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Krukiov avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
LeBalls utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
LeBalls is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Krukiov is defending well for now.
LeBalls gets through Krukiov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Krukiov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
LeBalls throws an elbow but it's blocked.
LeBalls stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
LeBalls trying to stall but Krukiov improves his position.
A nice right hand lands inside from LeBalls.
Krukiov avoiding damage as LeBalls throws knees to the body.
LeBalls is struggling to control the position.
LeBalls missing with knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
LeBalls lands a damaging elbow.
Jack LeBalls is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
LeBalls pressing his opponent against the cage.
Krukiov jumps guard but LeBalls stands there with Krukiov around his waist. Krukiov gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Krukiov tries to pull guard but LeBalls holds him up against the cage and eventually Krukiov drops back down to his feet.
Vlad Krukiov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jack LeBalls has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vlad Krukiov.
LeBalls tries to land knees in the clinch but Krukiov avoids the damage to the body.
LeBalls is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Krukiov managing to block the knees to the body from LeBalls.
LeBalls looking to throw knees to the head but Krukiov is blocking nicely.
LeBalls tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Krukiov avoids it.
LeBalls is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jack LeBalls showed his dominance in that final round.
Well LeBalls has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Luis Engracia scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 29:28
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jack LeBalls!