PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rocky Balboa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fred Norris (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Norris has chosen Jayz(Run This Town) as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Balboa
vs
Norris

188 cm
25
207 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

194 cm
22
221 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Dangerous GnP
Excellent MT
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Rocky Balboa!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Fred Norris!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Balboa shoots in but Norris avoids the takedown attempt easily.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Norris.
Balboa throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Norris counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Norris.
Balboa has momentary wrist control but Norris slips an elbow through the middle.
Norris trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Norris 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.
Norris lands a couple of elbows.
Norris stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Balboa swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Norris is working Balboa over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
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!
Norris lands a couple of digs.

Norris thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Norris wants to control from the top but Balboa keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Norris throws a big right hand that misses.
Norris throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Norris not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Norris working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Balboa wants to stand but Norris is controlling the position.
Norris working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Norris throws and elbow that misses. Balboa uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Norris's guard. Nice move by Balboa!
Norris trying to keep a closed guard but Balboa is proving a slippery customer.

Norris uses the cage to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balboa throws a leg kick but Norris sees it coming and moves out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from Balboa misses the target.
Norris keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Balboa. Norris does a little dance to reset his feet.
Balboa misses with an uppercut. Norris saw that one coming.
Balboa throws a body punch but Norris moves out of range.

Norris pushes Balboa up against the cage in a clinch.
Norris lands a nice elbow.

It looks like Rocky Balboa has been cut.
Norris lands an elbow that stopped Balboa in his tracks for a moment.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Norris is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Balboa gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Norris lands a knee to the head.
Norris is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Balboa pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Rocky Balboa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fred Norris.

Norris gets control of Balboa's arms and successfully pulls guard. Norris will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Norris is looking for a triangle but Balboa pushes his legs off easily.
Norris keeping moving, preventing Balboa from controlling successfully.
Balboa slips nicely into half guard.
Balboa wants to get back to his feet.

Norris has one foot on Balboa's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Norris closes the distance and clinches up with Balboa, looking for a takedown. Norris pushes Balboa against the cage but Balboa circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balboa misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Norris shoots in looking for a takedown. Balboa tries to sprawl out of it but Norris keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Balboa manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Norris drives through with a takedown into Balboa's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Balboa utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Norris loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Norris postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Norris working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Norris wants to control from the top but Balboa keeps moving.
Balboa knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Norris on the ground.
Norris lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fred Norris dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Rocky Balboa's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Norris fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Balboa lands a head kick that stumbles Norris and the fighters go to the mat.

Norris is rocked!

It looks like Fred Norris has been cut.
Balboa trying to control the position from guard on top but Norris is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Norris has his foot on Balboa's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Balboa works his way back into a safe position though.
Norris wants to sweep here but Balboa controlling him for the moment.
Norris throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Norris looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Norris is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Norris had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Balboa defends it easily.
Balboa trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Fred Norris has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balboa would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Norris trying to strike off his back.
Balboa trying to control the position from guard on top but Norris is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Norris is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Balboa is aware though and is defending well.

Norris has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Balboa off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Good exchange - Balboa coming out on top.
Norris misses with a takedown attempt - Balboa sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
A punch combination from Balboa misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balboa swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Norris decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Balboa's guard.
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!
Balboa tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Balboa preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Norris with a nice head shot there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Balboa working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Norris.
Norris throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Balboa works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Norris is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Balboa is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Balboa has escaped and now he's on top!
Norris looking to hit a scissor sweep but Balboa is one step ahead there.

Norris has his foot on Balboa's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Balboa works his way back into a safe position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Norris is wriggling around but Balboa manages to pass to half guard.
Norris slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Balboa wants to control from the top but Norris keeps moving.

Norris kicks Balboa off and gets to his feet.
Balboa misses with a straight left.
Norris avoids a punch combination nicely.
Balboa defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Norris.
Rocky Balboa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fred Norris.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Norris avoids the head kick by Balboa.
Norris blocks a jab.
Norris ducks under a wild hook from Balboa.
Norris shoots for a double leg takedown but Balboa sprawls well. He's pushed Norris's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Balboa takes a swing at Norris's ribcage but misses.
Norris closes this distance looking for a takedown but Balboa circles away.
Norris is breathing heavily.

Norris scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Norris is working for a submission of some sort.

Norris is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Balboa doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Norris.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fred Norris showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Norris fails with a takedown attempt.
Balboa throws a combination that misses

and Norris counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Balboa keeping moving, preventing Norris from controlling successfully.
Norris trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Norris makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Norris is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Norris is looking to work some ground and pound but Balboa has wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Norris working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Norris with a flurry of punches that miss.
Norris loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Norris chips away with some ground and pound.
Balboa wants to stand and escape but Norris is having none of it.
Norris lands a couple of digs.
Norris throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Balboa preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Norris loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Norris working some strikes from top position.
Norris lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Norris drops back looking for a leg! Balboa is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Balboa manages to kick Norris off! Norris jumps back into Balboa's guard.
Norris with a nice head shot there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Norris throws a big right hand that misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Balboa tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Balboa has his foot on Norris's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Norris works his way back into a safe position though.
Norris trying to control but Balboa is working from the bottom.
Norris not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Norris has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Norris is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Norris trying to control the position from guard on top but Balboa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Norris with a nice head shot there.
Balboa keeping moving, preventing Norris from controlling successfully.
Balboa utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Norris cracks Balboa with a solid left hand.
Norris has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Norris lands a couple of digs.
Norris chips away with some ground and pound.
Balboa working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Norris.
Balboa throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Norris scoring with some ground and pound.
Norris content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Norris sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Balboa's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Norris is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Norris missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Balboa has hold of Norris's hands but Norris slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Norris lands a nice short elbow.
Norris seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Balboa on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Norris looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Norris thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Norris slips a nice elbow through Balboa's hands, connecting with Balboa's forehead.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Balboa is refusing to be controlled, as Norris sits in half guard.
Nice strikes from Norris there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fred Norris really dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Balboa throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Balboa misses with an attempted mid kick.
Balboa looks to score with a jab to the body but Norris is just out of range.
Balboa ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Norris moves away.
Norris shoots in for a takedown but Balboa shows good takedown defense.
Balboa fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Norris manages to avoid it.
Norris blocks a jab.
Norris looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Balboa is fending him off so far but Norris persists. Nope, Balboa circles away and we're back to standing.
Balboa has a takedown stuffed.
Balboa misses the shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balboa tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Norris paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Balboa's corner calls for a 1-2. Balboa obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Balboa jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Balboa looks to score with a jab to the body but Norris is just out of range.
Rocky Balboa is winning the standup battle so far.
Balboa tries to close the distance and clinch up but Norris swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Balboa stuffs the takedown attempt from Norris. Norris gets slowly back to his feet.
Rocky Balboa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fred Norris.
Balboa connects with a jab.
Balboa cracks a nice hook into Norris's ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balboa catches Norris with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Norris is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Norris is defended easily by Balboa.
Balboa misses with a wild combination.
Balboa wants to clinch up but Norris keeps it at a distance.
Balboa throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Norris changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Balboa tries to avoid it but Norris manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Balboa to the ground. Balboa escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Norris tries to score a power double leg takedown but Balboa sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Norris somewhat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Norris slips under a jab from Balboa.
Balboa finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Balboa misses with a series of wild punches.
Balboa misses with a series of wild punches.
Balboa 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balboa ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Norris moves away.
Balboa looking to land some kicks to the body here.
No luck for Norris with that takedown attempt.

Balboa gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Norris to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Norris won't allow Balboa to sweep him here.
Norris distracts Balboa with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Balboa keeping moving, preventing Norris from controlling successfully.
Norris wants to pass the guard but Balboa is keeping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rocky Balboa had his way with Fred Norris in that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Balboa fails to land the takedown.
Balboa wants to clinch

and Norris counters with a single leg into guard. Balboa didn't expect that.
Balboa is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Norris scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Norris trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Norris connects with a couple of short punches.
Norris wants to pass the guard but Balboa is keeping the position.
Norris with a nice head shot there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balboa preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Norris postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Norris is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Norris wants to control from the top but Balboa keeps moving.
Norris postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Norris wants to control from the top but Balboa keeps moving.
Norris cracks Balboa with a solid left hand.
Norris works over Balboa with some ground and pound from guard.
Norris stops Balboa from standing up.
Balboa utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Norris postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Norris lands a couple of digs.
Norris throwing strikes from guard but Balboa blocks nicely.
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!
Norris landing with the ground and pound.
Norris lands a couple of elbows.

Balboa is rocked!
Norris scoring with some ground and pound.
Oh Balboa is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Norris loads up on a big left hand. Balboa felt that one! He's just covering up now, not defending himself intelligently - Norris looks towards the ref and unloads with 3 more big shots and the ref has no choice but to stop the fight! Balboa can't hide his disappointment, as Norris celebrates the victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:55 of round 5, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Fred Norris!
Fred Norris is the new light heavyweight champion!