PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Tony Balada (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paulo Thiago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters really staring eachother down here, as Paulo Thiago enters the cage!

Balada
vs
Thiago

180 cm
19
179 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

181 cm
24
176 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very quick

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Knockout power

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 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Tony Balada!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Paulo Thiago!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Paulo Santos and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thiago walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Thiago tries to close the distance and clinch but Balada swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Thiago with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Balada to score with a decent uppercut.
Thiago on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Balada can't find room to land a body shot as Thiago controls the action.
Balada has a couple of punches blocked by Thiago.
A hook to the body from Thiago.
Thiago works on Balada's body with a couple of short punches.

Thiago breaks from the clinch.
Thiago is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Thiago drives through and clinches with Balada against the cage.
Balada tries to throw a body punch but Thiago avoids it by throwing Balada back against the cage.
Thiago scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Thiago blocking some punches.
Balada throws a head punch that misses.

Thiago's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
The fight stays on the outside here - Thiago looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Balada sizes up Thiago with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thiago has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Balada finds it's way round the side to connect with Thiago's head.
Balada fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Thiago is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Thiago instigates a clinch.

Thiago breaks the clinch.

Thiago forces Balada back against the cage and clinches.
Thiago blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Balada misses with a shot to the kidneys.
The referee is keeping an eye on Thiago - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Thiago lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Thiago is working Balada over against the cage.
Balada misses with a punch to the body.
Thiago lands with a left to the head.

It looks like Tony Balada has been cut.
Balada goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Thiago slows down the pace here.
Thiago blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balada misses with a hook from the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Thiago.
Balada misses with a short punch on the inside.
Thiago blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A right handed body shot lands from Thiago.
Thiago works on Balada's body with a couple of short punches.
Balada misses with a hook to the ribs.
Thiago blocking some punches.
Thiago pushes Balada back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Balada is trying to maintain a safe position but Thiago gets an underhook and turns Balada into the cage.
Nice body punch from Balada - that landed with a thud.
Thiago is working Balada over against the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Thiago.
Balada misses with a short punch on the inside.
Balada misses with a punch on the inside.
Balada's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Balada is rocked!
Balada stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Oh Balada is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

Thiago pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Thiago rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Balada moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Balada seems to have got his legs back now.
Balada slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Balada throws a hook but Thiago blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balada looks to land a right hand but Thiago moved out of range.
Balada lands with a nice body punch.
Balada misses with a wild body shot.

Thiago drives through and clinches with Balada against the cage.

Thiago's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Paulo Thiago seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Balada connects with a single shot there.
Balada connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Thiago's hands.
Thiago tries to clinch there but Balada circles away.
A telegraphed right hand from Balada misses the target.

Thiago gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Thiago works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Balada misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Balada tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Balada has a couple of punches blocked by Thiago.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Thiago.
The referee calls for Thiago to work.
Thiago softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balada misses with a hook to the ribs.
Balada swings away with an uppercut that misses.
The referee is keeping an eye on Thiago - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Thiago scores with a hook to the body.
Thiago pushes Balada back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Balada swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Thiago displaying some good clinch control by pressing Balada up against the cage.
Thiago scores with a hook to the body.
Good body shot from Thiago.
Balada can't find room to land a body shot as Thiago controls the action.
Balada blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Thiago's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Thiago fails in his attempt to clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Balada showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Thiago.
Balada scores with a nice head shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paulo Thiago dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Tony Balada's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Balada avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Balada's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Thiago connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Balada scrambles back to his feet.
Some wild striking there from Thiago.
Thiago fails in his attempt to clinch.

Thiago closes the distance and clinches.
Thiago scores with a hook to the body.
Balada doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Thiago throws an elbow but it's blocked.

Thiago breaks from the clinch.
Thiago lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Balada circles away quickly and effectively.
Thiago takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Balada throws the left hand but Thiago avoids the punch easily.

Thiago forces Balada back against the cage and clinches.
Balada throws a head punch that misses.
Balada swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Balada misses with a punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balada throws a head punch that misses.
Thiago gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Thiago works on Balada's body with a couple of short punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Thiago.
Balada looking to stall.
Thiago displaying some good clinch control by pressing Balada up against the cage.
Balada is trying to force a seperation but Thiago has the dominant position.
Balada throws a punch but it's blocked by Thiago.
Thiago pressing his opponent against the cage.
Thiago blocking some punches.
Balada swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Balada tries a body shot but Thiago blocks it.

Thiago's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Thiago clinches up against the cage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Thiago blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Balada doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Balada.
Balada tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Thiago's elbow.
Thiago working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

Tony Balada's cut is getting worse.
Thiago blocks a body shot from Balada.

Thiago breaks the clinch.
Thiago fails to land with a series of punches.
Balada throws a jab when Thiago was well out of range.
Thiago lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Balada circles away quickly and effectively.
Balada lands a lovely overhand right.
Paulo Thiago is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Balada swings for the body but Thiago moves out of range.
Thiago keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Balada.
Thiago fails to land with a series of punches.
Thiago bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Balada's head.
Thiago avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Balada works Thiago's body with a nice hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thiago throws a right hand that Balada ducks under and follows up with a left that Balada also avoids with ease.
Thiago tries to clinch up but Balada circles away and keeps his distance.
Balada throws an overhand right that lands on Thiago's shoulder, as Thiago tries to avoid the shot.
Balada avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Balada uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Thiago.
Balada scores with a jab. Thiago acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Thiago avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Balada wants to clinch

and Thiago counters by moving into the clinch.
Balada misses with some punches.
Balada misses with a hook to the ribs.
Balada misses with a short punch on the inside.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Thiago.
Balada tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Thiago lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Balada backwards.

Thiago breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Thiago takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thiago is looking to clinch but Balada is avoiding it.
A telegraphed right hand from Thiago misses the target.
Thiago moves in looking to clinch but Balada pushes him off.
Thiago avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Thiago slips under a jab.
Balada lands the left hand.
A cross from Balada lands.
Thiago wants to clinch up but Balada keeps it at a distance.
Thiago ducks under a wild hook from Balada.
Balada throws an overhand right that lands on Thiago's shoulder, as Thiago tries to avoid the shot.
Thiago ducks under a wild hook from Balada.
Balada misses with a jab, cross combination.
Thiago fails in his attempt to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paulo Thiago showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Tony Balada's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Nice shot lands for Balada.
Balada slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Thiago falls off balance throwing a combination
letting Balada counter with a right hand.
Thiago is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Thiago instigates a clinch.

Thiago manages to break the clinch.
Thiago closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Balada misses the shot to the body.
Balada connects with a right hand. Thiago shakes it off.
Balada scores with a jab.
Thiago throws a series of punches but Balada moves out of range.
Balada circles away from the clinch attempt
and Thiago takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thiago doesn't manage to clinch there - Balada circles away.
Thiago tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Balada paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Thiago misses with a double jab
enabling Balada to counter with a crisp jab.
Balada is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Thiago uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Balada.
Thiago misses the shot to the body.
Thiago looks to land a combination but Balada avoids it well.
Balada avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Thiago doesn't manage to clinch there - Balada circles away.
Tony Balada is winning the standup battle so far.
Balada feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Thiagos jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Thiago tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Balada paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Thiago ducks under a wild hook from Balada.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Balada connects with a nice looking jab.
Balada is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Balada connects with a body shot.
Thiago tries to close the distance and clinch up but Balada swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Balada connects with a right hand. Thiago shakes it off.
Thiago swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Balada counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Thiago steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Balada.
Balada misses with an uppercut. Thiago saw that one coming.
Balada scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Thiago doesn't manage to clinch there - Balada circles away.
Balada connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Thiago wants to clinch up but Balada keeps it at a distance.
Balada slips a jab and a cross from Thiago.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balada jabs at Thiago's body.
Thiago takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Balada looks to land a right hand but Thiago moved out of range.
Balada lands a nice shot that snaps Thiago's head back.
Balada jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Donk. Balada catches Thiago right on the button with a cross.
Jab by Balada.
Balada changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Thiago on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Balada cracks Thiago with a good jab.
Thiago scores with a three punch combo!
Thiago is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Balada smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Thiago fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thiago darts in trying to clinch
letting Balada counter with a right hand.
Thiago has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Balada circles away from the clinch attempt.

Thiago darts in and clinches Balada up against the cage.
Tony Balada has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Thiago blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Balada misses with a punch on the inside.
Balada tries to throw a body punch but Thiago avoids it by throwing Balada back against the cage.
Balada misses with a hook from the clinch.
Paulo Thiago seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Balada misses with a body punch.
A head punch on the inside from Balada fails to land.

Thiago breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Thiago falls off balance throwing a combination
and Balada cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Thiago instigates a clinch.
Paulo Thiago is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Balada misses with a body punch.

Thiago's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tony Balada showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Thiago has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 28:29
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Paulo Thiago!