PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jack Balance (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rhaegar Targaryen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Targaryen is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Mr Brightside. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Balance
vs
Targaryen

180 cm
22
195 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

187 cm
25
185 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Solid chin

Hell's Balls Recovery (160)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jack Balance!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rhaegar Targaryen!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Tarja Halkonen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A clash of legs there as Balance blocks the low kick.
Targaryen goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
A leg kick checked by Balance.
Balance walks into a straight right hand from Targaryen.
Some wild striking there from Targaryen.

Balance changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Targaryen looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
What's Targaryen going to do here then? He's in a bit of a pickle.
Balance scoring with punches and elbows.
Targaryen on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Balance takes a little break here. Targaryen wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Balance landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Balance scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Targaryen to see if he's OK.
Balance scoring with punches and elbows.
Balance has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Targaryen is trying to get back to his feet.
Targaryen is looking for a sweep.

Balance working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Balance is looking to take a break and control but Targaryen is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Balance lands some shots froms side control.
Balance looking to control but instead Targaryen has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
Balance controlling the action here.
Balance lands with a punch from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Targaryen wants to get back to his feet.
Well, if Balance is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Balance wants to pass the guard but Targaryen is defending well.
Targaryen has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Balance is working away from the top position though.
Balance sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Targaryen defending well though.

Targaryen looking for submissions off his back.
Balance wants to take a breather but Targaryen is having none of it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Balance looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balance working the head and body with strikes.

Targaryen actively working from the bottom here.
Balance is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Targaryen is trying to stand back up but Balance is controlling him
Balance wants to control but Targaryen is keeping him busy.
Targaryen is looking to escape.

Targaryen looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Targaryen is looking to control Balance's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Targaryen avoid being mounted?
Targaryen looks gassed!
Targaryen taking some punishment here, with Balance in his half guard.
Targaryen is staying active underneath Balance, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Balance working over Targaryen with some ground and pound. Targaryen looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balance is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Targaryen is trying to stand back up but Balance is controlling him
Balance working over Targaryen with some ground and pound. Targaryen looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Balance controlling the pace.
Targaryen trying to hold on to Balance's head to control him but Balance postures up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Balance takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Targaryen manages to get to full guard.

Targaryen looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Balance dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Targaryen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Targaryen fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Balance blocks the body kick.
Targaryen throws a head kick but Balance moves out of range.
Balance wants to clinch up but Targaryen keeps it at a distance.
Balance avoids the head kick by Targaryen.
Balance wants to clinch.
Targaryen tries a head kick but it misses.
Targaryen tries a low kick but Balance avoids it.
Targaryen throws a right and a left that Balance avoids nicely.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Balance is struggling to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Targaryen on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Balance slows down the pace here.
Targaryen is working for takedown but Balance is calmly controlling the position for now.
Balance dodges an elbow strike from Targaryen.
Targaryen is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Balance gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Balance lands a takedown into guard.
Targaryen can't keep his opponent in guard - Balance advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Targaryen wants to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balance landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Targaryen taking some punishment here, with Balance in his half guard.
Balance is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Balance content to control rather than advance.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Targaryen is looking for a sweep. Balance is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Balance slips a nice elbow through Targaryen's hands, connecting with Targaryen's forehead.
Targaryen is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Balance's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Balance's back!
Targaryen trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Targaryen doesn't have the hooks in and Balance manages to turn into his guard.
Targaryen is breathing heavily.
Balance lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Balance looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Targaryen is looking for a triangle here but Balance uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Balance is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Balance working the body and head with strikes.
Balance moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Targaryen is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Balance off and has taken his back!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Targaryen is trying to stick to Balance's back but Balance is turning into Targaryen. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Targaryen's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Balance.

Targaryen looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Balance avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Balance postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Balance trying to control the position from guard on top but Targaryen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Targaryen working for submissions but it's allowed Balance to get to half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Balance tries to pass to full mount but Targaryen defends it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Balance dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Targaryen misses with a head kick.
No joy there for Targaryen, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Targaryen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Balance moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Jack Balance is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Targaryen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Targaryen lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Balance circles away quickly and effectively.
Targaryen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Balance takes a head kick and keeps coming.

Balance shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Balance working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Balance lands with a punch from half guard.
Balance is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Targaryen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Balance working over Targaryen with some ground and pound. Targaryen looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balance drops an elbow to the side of Targaryen's head.
Balance slips a nice elbow through Targaryen's hands, connecting with Targaryen's forehead.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Balance connects with a nice short shot to Targaryen's temple.
Jack Balance overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

Targaryen looking for submissions off his back.
Balance moves nicely into side control.
Balance lands a decent elbow from side control.
Targaryen is looking to reverse the position.
Balance is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Targaryen will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Balance grinds an elbow into Targaryen's temple.
You can see the frustration on Targaryen's face as Balance controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Targaryen takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Targaryen tries to escape but Balance is in control.
Balance in side control lands a decent elbow.
Balance cracks Targaryen with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Targaryen takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Balance lands a few punches from side control.
Targaryen struggling a bit here.
Balance working the body and head with strikes.
Targaryen takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Balance working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.

Targaryen is rocked!
Balance is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Targaryen will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Targaryen is still in real trouble! Can Balance finish him?
Balance is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Targaryen can do to turn this around?
Targaryen is looking for a sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Targaryen taking punishment in the form of punches.
Balance moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Targaryen is not in a great position here, taking some shots.

Balance tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Balance controls the position from side control.
You can see the frustration on Targaryen's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
You can see the frustration on Targaryen's face as Balance controls the position.
Targaryen seems to have recovered his senses.
Targaryen is looking to regain half guard here but Balance keeps moving and retains side control.
Balance working the ground and pound.
Rhaegar Targaryen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Balance is putting a hurting on Targaryen here, landing some big shots from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balance trying to control the position but Targaryen is working away.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Targaryen taking a bit of punishment here - Balance scoring with strikes.
Balance lands a decent elbow from side control.
Targaryen being controlled for a moment.
Balance working the ground and pound from side control.
Balance happy to just control the position for now.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Targaryen tries to bench press Balance off him but Balance keeps the position.
Jack Balance is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Balance controls the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jack Balance showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Balance, 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jack Balance!
A very excited looking Jack Balance made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.