PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Valio Baltov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and cedric rodriguez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Baltov
vs
rodriguez

176 cm
22
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

182 cm
18
175 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Valio Baltov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, cedric rodriguez!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Radbod Blank and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Baltov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Baltov looks to land a combination but rodriguez avoids it well.
Baltov with a jab.
Baltov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Baltov looks to land a combination but rodriguez avoids it well.

Baltov gets in close and instigates a clinch.
rodriguez tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Baltov avoids it.
rodriguez has a couple of punches blocked by Baltov.
rodriguez struggles to land a body shot inside as Baltov controls his hands.
rodriguez tries to break the clinch but Baltov is controlling the position.
Baltov lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Baltov looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Baltov keeps the fight in the clinch, despite rodriguez's efforts to push away.
Baltov presses rodriguez against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Baltov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Baltov works over rodriguez's head and body with a nice combination.
rodriguez looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Baltov is fending him off so far but rodriguez persists. Nope, Baltov circles away and we're back to standing.
rodriguez changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Baltov tries to avoid it but rodriguez manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Baltov to the ground. Baltov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
rodriguez takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Baltov has managed to clinch.
Baltov is leaning against rodriguez and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
rodriguez trying to land knees to the body.
rodriguez is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Valio Baltov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of cedric rodriguez.
rodriguez tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Baltov smiles and moves away.
rodriguez avoids a punch combination nicely.
rodriguez looks for a takedown but Baltov sprawls well.
rodriguez looks to clinch
and Baltov counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
rodriguez looks gassed!
Baltov lands with a nice body punch.
Baltov clobbers rodriguez with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
rodriguez shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Baltov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Baltov closes the distance and clinches.
rodriguez misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Baltov.

Baltov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Baltov forces rodriguez back against the cage and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
rodriguez is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

Baltov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
rodriguez takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

Baltov clinches with his opponent.
Baltov gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from rodriguez.

Baltov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Baltov scores with a jab to the body.
Baltov lands with a nice body punch.
rodriguez dodges the punch combination from Baltov.

Baltov drives through and clinches with rodriguez against the cage.
rodriguez with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Baltov lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Baltov digs a right hand underneath rodriguez's ribcage. rodriguez let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Nice body punch from Baltov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baltov has rodriguez pressed against the cage, preventing rodriguez from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Baltov digs a right hand into rodriguez's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on rodriguez's gas tank.
Baltov has had enough of the clinch but rodriguez keeps him there for the moment.
rodriguez wants a takedown but no success here.

Baltov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nice cross by Baltov.

Baltov moves into the clinch.

Baltov manages to break the clinch.

Baltov drives through and clinches with rodriguez against the cage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Baltov as rodriguez tries to tie him up.
Baltov is pressed up against the cage. rodriguez has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Baltov down to the mat. Baltov avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Baltov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Valio Baltov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Baltov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Valio Baltov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Baltov closes the distance and pushes rodriguez back into the cage.
Baltov lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt rodriguez or not.
rodriguez tries to score a body lock takedown but Baltov shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
rodriguez tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Baltov smiles and moves away.
Baltov misses with a jab, cross combination.
Baltov scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Baltov lands a jab-cross combination.
Baltov lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as rodriguez backs up against the cage.
Baltov lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
A punch lands to the side of rodriguez 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Baltov scores with a one two! rodriguez had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Baltov closes the distance and lands a one-two.

Baltov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
rodriguez goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
rodriguez tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Baltov just stands there and leans against the cage.

Baltov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Baltov throws a one two combo.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Baltov moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

A nice combination there by Baltov.
Baltov scores with a one two! rodriguez had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
rodriguez takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Baltov is working the combinations to good effect here.

Baltov gets caught flat footed, as rodriguez shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Baltov is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

Baltov pushes rodriguez off and scrambles back to his feet.
No joy there for Baltov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Baltov scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Baltov lands a glancing blow to the side of rodriguez's head.
rodriguez doesn't succeed with the takedown
enabling Baltov to counter with a crisp jab.
rodriguez is breathing heavily.
Baltov's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Baltov duly obliges.
Baltov tries to bum rush rodriguez with a series of wild strikes but rodriguez uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baltov throws a combination. rodriguez tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Baltov lands the left hand.
rodriguez has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Baltov throws a one two combo.
Baltov slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

Baltov has rodriguez up against the cage in a clinch.

Baltov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
rodriguez with a lazy takedown attempt
and Baltov counters with a two punch combo.
A shot to de liver by Baltov. Beautiful body shot.
rodriguez takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Baltov goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Baltov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Baltov works rodriguez's body with a nice hook.
Baltov moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Baltov throws a nice looking combination but rodriguez bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
rodriguez on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Valio Baltov is winning the standup battle so far.
Baltov goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Baltov lands a nice shot to the body.
Baltov throws a series of strikes that have rodriguez backpedaling.
Baltov throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent rodriguez stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Baltov works over rodriguez's head and body with a nice combination.
Baltov scores with a one two! rodriguez had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Baltov throws a nice looking combination but rodriguez bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Baltov gets a clinch.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Baltov scores with a hook to the body.
Baltov lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt rodriguez or not.
rodriguez prevents Baltov from breaking the clinch.
Baltov can't break the clinch.
Baltov works on rodriguez's body with a couple of short punches.
rodriguez has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
rodriguez changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Baltov fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Valio Baltov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of cedric rodriguez.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baltov throws a shot to the body.

Baltov clinches up with rodriguez and pushes him back against the cage.

Baltov breaks from the clinch.
Baltov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
rodriguez is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
A cross from Baltov lands.
Baltov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
rodriguez doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Baltov counters with a series of strikes. rodriguez will be more careful next time no doubt.
Baltov looks to land a combination. rodriguez sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Baltov lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Baltov.
Baltov displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Valio Baltov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baltov lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
rodriguez fails with the takedown
and Baltov counters with a nice body shot.
Baltov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but rodriguez moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Baltov throws a series of strikes that have rodriguez backpedaling.
Baltov lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as rodriguez backs up against the cage.
Baltov lands a jab-cross combination.
Baltov lands a jab-cross combination.
Baltov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
rodriguez fails with the takedown

and Baltov counters by clinching up.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
rodriguez is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Baltov breaks from the clinch.
Baltov cracks rodriguez with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Baltov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but rodriguez circles away quickly and effectively.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Valio Baltov 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. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

rodriguez throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
rodriguez shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
enabling Baltov to counter with a crisp jab.
Baltov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that rodriguez can do to turn this around?
Baltov lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
rodriguez is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Baltov.
Baltov scores with a one two! rodriguez had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Baltov lands with a good body shot.
Baltov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Baltov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Baltov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Baltov swinging wildly here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baltov lands with a good body shot.
rodriguez takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
rodriguez shoots and misses

and Baltov counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
rodriguez has Baltov pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Baltov manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Valio Baltov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of cedric rodriguez.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baltov lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Baltov is trying to break the clinch but rodriguez has him pressed against the cage.

Baltov breaks the clinch.

Baltov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Baltov has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Baltov breaks the clinch.
Some wild striking there from Baltov.
Baltov misses with a jab, cross combination.
A left lands for Baltov.
rodriguez dodges the punch combination from Baltov.
Baltov throws a right and a left that both miss.
rodriguez misses with a takedown

and Baltov holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
A right hand to the body from Baltov.

Baltov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Baltov scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Baltov displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Baltov throws a right and a left that rodriguez avoids nicely.
Baltov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
rodriguez dodges the punch combination from Baltov.

Baltov pushes rodriguez up against the cage in a clinch.
rodriguez has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Baltov is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Baltov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Baltov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but rodriguez circles away quickly and effectively.
Baltov lands a slapping body shot.
Baltov's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Baltov duly obliges.
Baltov goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baltov misses with a wild combination.
Baltov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but rodriguez moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Baltov closes the distance and clinches.
rodriguez is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Baltov gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Baltov gets underhooks to prevent rodriguez's takedown attempt.

Baltov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Baltov with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Baltov lands a jab-cross combination.
rodriguez has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Baltov looks to land a combination but rodriguez avoids it well.
Baltov misses with a series of wild punches.
Baltov moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
rodriguez with a poor takedown

and Baltov counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baltov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Baltov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Baltov lands a straight punch to the body, keeping rodriguez at a distance.
Baltov throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Baltov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but rodriguez circles away quickly and effectively.
rodriguez with a poor takedown
and Baltov counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Baltov lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Baltov!
Baltov lands a jab-cross combination.
Baltov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
rodriguez tries for a takedown but Baltov circles away easily
and Baltov counters with a nice body shot.
No joy there for Baltov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
cedric rodriguez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Valio Baltov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
rodriguez dodges the punch combination from Baltov.

And that's the end of the fight!
Valio Baltov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Baltov, 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 Nard Betker scores the fight 30:26
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 30:26
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Valio Baltov!