PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rumble Balboa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Seifer Shinra (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shinra has chosen Final Fantasy 7 Boss Battle Theme as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Balboa
vs
Shinra

200 cm
21
280 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

191 cm
21
244 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

"PWNAGE - over 100 designs under $20"
Australian Xtreme - All 159 Video Proof.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rumble Balboa!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Seifer Shinra!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Seu Braga and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Balboa closes the distance and clinches.
Balboa stalling the fight.
Balboa is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Balboa slows down the pace here.
Balboa tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Shinra's elbow.
Balboa misses with a body punch.
Balboa lands a shoulder strike.
Balboa is stalling here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shinra blocks a body shot from Balboa.
Shinra drops down looking for an ankle pick but Balboa pulls his leg out and moves away.
Shinra looks to score with a jab to the body but Balboa is just out of range.
Balboa leaves Shinra with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Shinra decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Shinra throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Shinra has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Balboa blocking the ground and pound attempt from Shinra.
Shinra not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balboa wants to get back to his feet.
Shinra trying to pass the guard but Balboa defending well.
Shinra throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Balboa is trying to stand back up but Shinra is controlling him
Shinra takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Shinra misses with a head shot. Balboa uses the momentum to regain guard.
Balboa keeping moving, preventing Shinra from controlling successfully.
Shinra postures up and lands a big shot to Balboa's brow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shinra lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Shinra trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Balboa controls Shinra momentarily but Shinra frees himself.
Shinra throwing strikes from guard but Balboa blocks nicely.
Shinra won't allow Balboa to get back to his feet.
Shinra stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Balboa swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Shinra is in close to Balboa's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Balboa avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Shinra thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Shinra wants to control from the top but Balboa keeps moving.
Shinra is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Shinra is working Balboa over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Balboa is on top in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shinra keeping moving, preventing Balboa from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Seifer Shinra 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.

Balboa with a jab.
Shinra blocks a head kick by Balboa.
Shinra throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rumble Balboa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Balboa tries to clinch but Shinra moves out of range.

Balboa gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Balboa stops a takedown attempt from Shinra.
Balboa pushes Shinra back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Balboa tries to throw a body punch but Shinra avoids it by throwing Balboa back against the cage.
Balboa avoiding damage.
Balboa lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balboa tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Shinra's elbow.
Shinra prevents a body shot from Balboa.
Balboa misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Balboa just leaning against Shinra, taking a breather.
Balboa trying to control the position but instead, Shinra has worked for underhooks and has pushed Balboa into the cage.
Shinra is looking to take this one to the mat.
Balboa prevents the takedown attempt.
Rumble Balboa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Seifer Shinra.
A nice left hand lands by Balboa.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balboa misses with a punch to the body.
Balboa missing with knees to the body.
Balboa throws a punch but it's blocked by Shinra.
Balboa misses with a punch to the body.
Balboa misses with a hook from the clinch.
Shinra tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Balboa smiles and moves away.
Balboa throws a head kick but Shinra moves out of range.
Balboa tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Shinra manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Balboa tries to clinch up but Shinra circles away and keeps his distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shinra will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Balboa scores with a punch to the head.
Shinra moves out of range of the body kick from Balboa.
Shinra dives in and grabs Balboa's left leg, looking for a takedown. Balboa pushes down on Shinra's head and hops out.
Balboa is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Shinra avoids the head kick by Balboa.
Balboa throws a wild body kick that Shinra sees coming a mile off.

Balboa clinches up with Shinra and pushes him back against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Balboa.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Balboa.
Balboa throws a knee to the head but misses.
Shinra tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Balboa smiles and moves away.
Shinra uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Balboa.

Balboa clinches.
Balboa throws a punch but it's blocked by Shinra.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Balboa keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Shinra's efforts to push away.
Balboa tries a body shot but Shinra blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rumble Balboa dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Balboa wants to clinch up but Shinra keeps it at a distance.
Balboa tests Shinra's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Balboa misses with a head kick.
Balboa tries to land a front kick but Shinra steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Shinra shoots in for a takedown but Balboa shows good takedown defense.
Balboa tries to close the distance and clinch but Shinra swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Balboa tries to clinch up.
Balboa missing with a left hand there. Shinra was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Balboa clinches with his opponent.
The referee is keeping an eye on Balboa - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balboa is trying to stall.
Balboa tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Shinra's elbow.
Balboa misses with a punch on the inside.
Balboa stalling against the cage.
Balboa taking a breather.
Shinra tries for a takedown but Balboa manages to get underhooks.
Balboa tries to throw a body punch but Shinra avoids it by throwing Balboa back against the cage.
Shinra is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balboa tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Shinra's elbow.
Balboa tries to throw a body punch but Shinra avoids it by throwing Balboa back against the cage.
Balboa tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Shinra's elbow.
Balboa misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Shinra blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Balboa misses with a short punch on the inside.
Balboa looking to stall.
Balboa misses with a punch on the inside.
Shinra tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Balboa just stands there and leans against the cage.
Rumble Balboa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Seifer Shinra.
Shinra blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Balboa tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Shinra's elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balboa holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Balboa is trying to maintain a safe position but Shinra gets an underhook and turns Balboa into the cage.
Shinra being controlled against the cage.
Balboa goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Balboa scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Balboa stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Balboa misses with a punch to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balboa is trying to stall.
Balboa throws a head punch that misses.
Balboa keeps control of Shinra as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Balboa tries a body shot but Shinra blocks it.
Balboa leaning his opponent against the cage.
Balboa tries a body shot but Shinra blocks it.
Balboa misses with a punch to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Balboa.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rumble Balboa clearly takes that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Shinra looks for a takedown but Balboa sprawls well.
Balboa darts in trying to clinch

and Shinra counters with a nice double leg into side control. Balboa won't be happy with that.
Shinra working the strikes but Balboa uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Shinra throwing shots but Balboa is blocking nicely.
Shinra thows a huge punch but Balboa dodges it nicely.
Shinra not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Balboa avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Shinra.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shinra is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Balboa sees it coming and defends easily.
Shinra thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Balboa's head.
Balboa is trying to get back to full guard.
Balboa won't allow Shinra to pass to mount.
Shinra is trying to control. Balboa wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Shinra wants to free his trapped foot but Balboa is holding on for dear life with his legs.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Seifer Shinra has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balboa keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Balboa manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Shinra on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Balboa tries to close the distance and clinch but Shinra swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Shinra tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Balboa swivels and escapes.
Balboa throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shinra tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Balboa was well out of range. Poor timing from Shinra.
Balboa connects with a solid leg kick.
Balboa fails in his attempt to clinch.
Rumble Balboa is winning the standup battle so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Balboa.
Rumble Balboa is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Shinra is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Shinra fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Rumble Balboa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Seifer Shinra.
A head kick from Balboa lands but Shinra takes it in his stride.
Balboa misses with a hook.

Shinra closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Balboa did well to prevent Shinra getting side control.
Shinra prevents Balboa from standing back up.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Shinra seems to be working for a kimura but Balboa defends the submission attempt.
Balboa pushes Shinra off looking to stand but Shinra dives back in and keeps control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shinra drops an elbow to the side of Balboa's head.
Balboa trying to control from the bottom.
Balboa gets back to full guard.
Shinra working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Shinra 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!

Shinra 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.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Rumble Balboa will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Balboa tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Shinra paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Balboa tries to clinch

and Shinra counters with a shoot takedown. Balboa fights it but they end up in guard.
Shinra passes Balboa's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Shinra passes the guard and advances to mount!
Balboa avoids a series of strikes thrown by Shinra.
Balboa holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Shinra tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Balboa is working to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shinra controlling his opponent.
Shinra lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Balboa is in all sorts of trouble here.
Shinra takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Shinra sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Balboa regains half guard.
Shinra sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Balboa defending well though.
Seifer Shinra has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rumble Balboa is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shinra throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Balboa has hold of Shinra's hands but Shinra slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shinra with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Shinra trying to control from half guard but Balboa is working away.
Balboa keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Balboa blocking the ground and pound attempt from Shinra.
Shinra throwing shots but Balboa is blocking nicely.
Shinra thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shinra seems to be looking for submissions.
Balboa is doing well to control the position and prevent Shinra from advancing to side control.
Shinra wants to lay and pray for a moment but Balboa keeps working.
Balboa controlling the position well.
Shinra looks to land a strike but Balboa avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Shinra trying to control but Balboa is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shinra preventing the sweep.
Shinra postures up and lands a big shot to Balboa's brow.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Shinra accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Shinra throwing strikes but missing.
Shinra tries to free his leg and advance position but Balboa is retaining full guard.
Shinra throwing strikes from guard but Balboa blocks nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Shinra is looking to work some ground and pound but Balboa has wrist control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Seifer Shinra comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Balboa has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 48:47
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 48:48
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Rumble Balboa!
Rumble Balboa is the new heavyweight champion!
During a confident post fight interview, Rumble Balboa thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.