PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Adrian Bale (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Siphiwe Tshabalala (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Bale
vs
Tshabalala

170 cm
27
165 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

170 cm
20
165 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Solid chin

[IFC] Fighter's Clothing Essentials

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 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Adrian Bale!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Siphiwe Tshabalala!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Radbod Blank and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tshabalala tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Tshabalala lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Bale with a nice cross.
Tshabalala scores with a hook.
A telegraphed right hand from Bale misses the target.
Bale keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Adrian Bale seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tshabalala throws a jab but it's blocked by Bale.
That kick from Tshabalala tenderised Bale's leg. Bale is trying to keep his angry face on.
Tshabalala throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Bale fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Tshabalala.
Tshabalala is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Bale.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Bale.
That kick from Bale tenderised Tshabalala's leg. Tshabalala is trying to keep his angry face on.
Tshabalala misses with a hook. Bale ducked under it nicely.
Tshabalala jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Tshabalala takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Tshabalala throws a looping overhand right but Bale ducks down to avoid it.
Tshabalala misses with an uppercut. Bale saw that one coming.
Bale lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Tshabalala at a distance.
Bale defending well as Tshabalala loads up on a big left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tshabalala walks into a straight right hand from Bale.
Bale scores with a hook to the body. Tshabalala takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Left hook, right uppercut from Bale.
Bale digs a good body shot into Tshabalala's ribs.
Tshabalala throws a leg kick that misses.
A combination from Bale does no damage.
Tshabalala fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Bale on the side of the head.
Bale misses with a jab, cross combination.
Bale lands with a right hand.
Tshabalala throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Bale bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Bale lands a jab to Tshabalala's midsection.
Tshabalala throws a hook to the side of Bale's head but Bale sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Bale throws a shot from downtown. Tshabalala moves away and avoids it.

Tshabalala fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Bale, pushing him back against the cage.
Bale is trying to force a seperation but Tshabalala has the dominant position.
Bale on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Tshabalala with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Bale wants to break free but Tshabalala has control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A knee to the head by Tshabalala.
Tshabalala scores with a knee to the head.
A frustrated look appears on Bale's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Bale wants to get back to striking at distance but Tshabalala won't allow it.

Bale breaks from the clinch.
Tshabalala has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Bale finds it's way round the side to connect with Tshabalala's head.
Bale scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Tshabalala on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Tshabalala stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Bale.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bale pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Tshabalala back to the cage. Bale follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Bale comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Tshabalala looks gassed!
Bale connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Tshabalala moves forwards but Bale connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Tshabalala uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Bale.
Bale fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Bale stuns Tshabalala with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Bale is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Tshabalala moves in looking to clinch but Bale pushes him off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tshabalala takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Bale jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Bale with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Bale lands with a shot to the body.
Bale lands a nice hook to Tshabalala's body. Tshabalala takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Tshabalala avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Bale throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Bale misses with a two punch combination.
Tshabalala doesn't manage to clinch there - Bale circles away.
Tshabalala thows a leg kick but Bale checks it
and Bale counters with a straight right hand.
Tshabalala throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Bale lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Bale throws a right and a left that Tshabalala avoids nicely.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Bale!
Tshabalala tries to score with a low kick but Bale moves his leg out of the way.
Bale looks to score with a jab to the body but Tshabalala is just out of range.
Tshabalala throws a combination that misses
and Bale counters with a right hand to the body.
Bale ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tshabalala moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bale lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bale. Tshabalala does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tshabalala clobbers Bale with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Tshabalala walks into a stiff left hand from Bale.
Some bone on bone action there as Bale checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Bale smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Bale throws a low kick but Tshabalala avoids it.
Bale lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bale stuns Tshabalala with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
No joy there for Bale, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Bale throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Tshabalala darts in trying to clinch
and Bale counters with a one-two to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bale tries to bum rush Tshabalala with a series of wild strikes but Tshabalala uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Tshabalala clobbers Bale with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Adrian Bale dominated that 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.

Bale cracks the inside of Tshabalala's front leg.
A combination from Bale does no damage.
Bale ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Tshabalala takes one to the side of the head.
Tshabalala throws a hook but Bale blocks it.
Bale scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Bale dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Tshabalala blocks a low kick nicely.
Bale keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Tshabalala.
Tshabalala fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Bale.
Tshabalala takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Bale throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Tshabalala stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Bale lands a jab to Tshabalala's midsection.
Tshabalala misses with a hook to the body
and Bale counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Bale throws a low kick but Tshabalala moves out of range easily.
Bale looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Bale stuns Tshabalala with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Bale misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bale digs a good body shot into Tshabalala's ribs.
Tshabalala is breathing heavily.
Bale checks a leg kick.
Bale lands with a thumping leg kick.
Bale misses with a wild combination.
Bale lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bale. Tshabalala does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tshabalala's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Bale works over Tshabalala's head and body with a nice combination.
Tshabalala has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Bale is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Tshabalala.
Tshabalala thows a body shot but no joy.
Tshabalala throws a leg kick
and Bale counters with a stiff right hand.
Tshabalala doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Bale scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Bale is looking to wear down Tshabalala with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Bale thuds a left hand into Tshabalala's body.
Nice straight punches there by Bale. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Bale.
Bale closes the distance and lands a one-two.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bale scores with a nice strike.
Bale lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Tshabalala at a distance.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A looping hook to the body misses from Bale. Tshabalala does a little dance to reset his feet.
A left and a right from Bale both land. Nice combination.
Bale is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Tshabalala can do to turn this around?
Bale scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Tshabalala doesn't seem bothered though.
Tshabalala takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Bale scores with a shot to the body.
Tshabalala takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Bale lands a nice hook to Tshabalala's body. Tshabalala takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Bale digs a good hook to Tshabalala's body.
Bale scores with a jab to the body.
Bale comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Bale cracks Tshabalala with a good jab.
A left lands for Bale.
A solid leg kick lands there for Bale.
Bale is looking to slow Tshabalala down with leg kicks.
Bale lands a two punch combo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bale stalks Tshabalala and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Tshabalala's face. Tshabalala staggers backwards, shaken.
Bale punishes Tshabalala's body with a nice straight punch.
Bale lets loose with a powerful body kick. Tshabalala will feel that in the morning.
Bale throws a nice looking combination but Tshabalala bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Bale scores with a nice head shot.
Bale connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Tshabalala's hands.
Bale looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Bale thumps Tshabalala with a low kick.
Nice uppercut there from Bale.
Bale is working the combinations to good effect here.
Bale lands a body shot.
Bale connects with a right hand. Tshabalala shakes it off.
Tshabalala avoids the body shot from Bale.
Bale dips to his left and cracks Tshabalala with an uppercut!
Bale lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Bale is looking to slow Tshabalala down with leg kicks.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Bale scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Tshabalala doesn't seem bothered though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bale defending well as Tshabalala loads up on a big left hand.
Adrian Bale is winning the standup battle so far.
Tshabalala does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Tshabalala takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Tshabalala swings away with a body shot that misses
and Bale cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Tshabalala on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Bale pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Tshabalala takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Bale finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Bale throws a right and a left that both miss.

Bale tries to keep at a distance but Tshabalala has taken the fight into the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tshabalala tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bale tries to break the clinch but Tshabalala is controlling the position.

Tshabalala manages to break the clinch.
Bale digs a good hook to Tshabalala's body.
Bale lands a head shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Adrian Bale dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Bale misses with a wild body shot.
Bale fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Tshabalala lands with a thumping leg kick.
Bale cracks Tshabalala with a good jab.
A cross from Bale lands.
Tshabalala missing with a left hand there. Bale was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Bale throws out a leg kick but Tshabalala moves out of range and Bale only half commits.
Tshabalala misses with a straight right.
Bale connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Bale wants to slow Tshabalala down by chopping away at his legs.
Tshabalala lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Bale shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Tshabalala eats them both and turns towards Bale to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Tshabalala takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Bale tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tshabalala was well out of range. Poor timing from Bale.
Tshabalala scoring well with a low kick there.
Bale checks the leg kick nicely there.
Tshabalala throws a jab when Bale was well out of range.
Tshabalala throws a big shot that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bale looks to score with a jab to the body but Tshabalala is just out of range.
Tshabalala throws a big shot that misses.
Tshabalala with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Tshabalala doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Bale scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Nice shot lands for Bale.
Bale lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Tshabalala circles away quickly and effectively.
Tshabalala uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Bale.
Tshabalala avoids the head kick by Bale.
Bale scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Bale lands with a good body shot.
Bale scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Bale connects with a crisp jab.
Bale misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Tshabalala takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Bale misses with a series of wild punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tshabalala walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Bale checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Tshabalala blocks a jab.
Bale misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Bale finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Tshabalala swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Bale counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Bale circles away from the clinch attempt.
Bale slips a straight right by Tshabalala.
A slapping body kick lands there for Bale.
Tshabalala takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Tshabalala takes one to the chin there.
Bale throws a series of punches but Tshabalala moves out of range.
Bale lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Tshabalala at a distance.
Tshabalala looks to score with a jab to the body but Bale is just out of range.
Tshabalala cracks a nice hook into Bale's ribs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tshabalala doesn't manage to clinch there - Bale circles away.
Tshabalala on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Tshabalala on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Bale lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Tshabalala takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Tshabalala tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Bale paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Bale lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Bale stuns Tshabalala with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Tshabalala throws a jab when Bale was well out of range.
Tshabalala avoids the body shot from Bale.
Bale throws a half hearted mid kick.
Good leg kick by Bale there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Tshabalala scores with a hook to the body. Bale takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
That kick from Tshabalala tenderised Bale's leg. Bale is trying to keep his angry face on.
Tshabalala throws a body punch but Bale moves out of range.
Bale lands a nice looking body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tshabalala looks to throw a body kick
and Bale counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Bale with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Bale misses with a wild body shot.
Tshabalala has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Tshabalala there as he acknowledges the shot.
Bale throws a quick inside leg kick.
Bale throws a head kick but Tshabalala moves out of range.
Bale scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Tshabalala doesn't seem bothered though.
Bale lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Bale with a jab.
Bale displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Bale throws a one two combo.
Bale scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tshabalala is looking to clinch but Bale is avoiding it.
Bale lunges at Tshabalala with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Tshabalala's hand.
Siphiwe Tshabalala has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Adrian Bale is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bale scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Bale comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Adrian Bale showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Bale, 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 Albert Achterberg 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... Adrian Bale!