PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rabban Harkonnen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Balu Baluu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Harkonnen comes to the cage accompanied by Johnny Cash - God's Gonna Cut You Down. Baluu comes into a darkened arena with his song building. WALK - Pantera kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Harkonnen
vs
Baluu

183 cm
32
168 lbs
17 - 8 - 1

177 cm
31
165 lbs
16 - 9 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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 17 - 8 - 1, fighting out of London, Rabban Harkonnen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 9 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Balu Baluu!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Ben Zyskovitsi and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jab by Harkonnen.
Baluu throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Harkonnen throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Harkonnen checks a low kick from Baluu.
Harkonnen getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Harkonnen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Baluu moves away.
Baluu throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Baluu pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Harkonnen missing with a left hand there. Baluu was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Baluu misses with a body kick.
Baluu tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Harkonnen throws a leg kick but Baluu moved away.
Baluu throws a nice head kick!
Baluu takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Jab, jab by Harkonnen - just one landing.
Baluu swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Harkonnen scores with a kick to the midsection.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baluu misses with a body kick.
Harkonnen tries to land a front kick but Baluu steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Baluu pivots, looking for a leg kick but Harkonnen is out of range and Baluu settles back down.
Harkonnen tries to land a front kick but Baluu steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Baluu jabs Harkonnen to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Baluu on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Harkonnen lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Baluu misses with a low kick.
Baluu digs a good body shot into Harkonnen's ribs.
Baluu connects with an inside leg kick.
Baluu ducks right into an uppercut from Harkonnen.
Baluu takes a swing at Harkonnen's ribcage but misses.
Baluu misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Harkonnen makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Baluu really felt that one!
Harkonnen connects with a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harkonnen showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Baluu.
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!
Sloppy strikes from Baluu. Those never looked like landing.
Baluu throws a leg kick that is checked

and Harkonnen counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Harkonnen.
Harkonnen tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Baluu tries a body shot but Harkonnen blocks it.
Harkonnen can't find room to land a body shot as Baluu controls the action.
Baluu struggles to land a body shot inside as Harkonnen controls his hands.
Baluu lands an uppercut.
Baluu tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Baluu struggles to land a body shot inside as Harkonnen controls his hands.
Baluu lands an uppercut.
Baluu misses with a short punch on the inside.
Harkonnen prevents a body shot from Baluu.

Harkonnen breaks from the clinch.
Baluu misses with a leg kick
and Harkonnen counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Baluu is lucky that one didn't land flush.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baluu has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Harkonnen finds it's way round the side to connect with Baluu's head.
Baluu on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Harkonnen ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Baluu misses with a left hand
and Harkonnen counters with a good, hard body kick but Baluu shrugs it off.
Baluu scores with the left hand. Harkonnen knows he should have avoided that one.
Baluu takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Harkonnen steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Baluu.
Harkonnen takes a swing at Baluu's ribcage but misses.
A nice leg kick lands there from Harkonnen.
Harkonnen is looking to slow Baluu down with leg kicks.
Harkonnen lands a body shot.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Harkonnen checks a leg kick.
Harkonnen lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

Baluu moves into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Baluu fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Baluu lands a hook that snaps the head of Harkonnen backwards.

Harkonnen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Harkonnen smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Baluu takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Harkonnen throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Harkonnen avoids the body shot from Baluu.
An inside leg kick lands from Baluu.
A head kick misses from Harkonnen.
Baluu tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Baluu throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Baluu pushes Harkonnen up against the cage in a clinch.
Baluu goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Baluu tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Harkonnen lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Rabban Harkonnen will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Baluu throws a sloppy head kick and Harkonnen moves out of range easily.
Harkonnen throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Harkonnen goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Harkonnen misses with a body shot.
Baluu misses with an attempted mid kick.
Harkonnen throws a sloppy head kick and Baluu moves out of range easily.
A big left from Baluu misses.
Harkonnen avoids a kick to the body.
Rabban Harkonnen is winning the standup battle so far.
Baluu connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Baluu looks to throw the jab but Harkonnen is out of range.
A big right from Baluu misses.
Baluu lands a body shot.
Baluu fails to land with a series of punches.
Baluu fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Harkonnen has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baluu tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Harkonnen was well out of range. Poor timing from Baluu.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Harkonnen, as that shot connected.
Harkonnen keeps Baluu at a distance using the push kick.
Harkonnen lands a nice shot that snaps Baluu's head back.
A clash of legs there as Harkonnen blocks the low kick.
Harkonnen circles away from the clinch attempt.
Harkonnen dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Baluu takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Baluu fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Baluu tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Harkonnen was well out of range. Poor timing from Baluu.
Baluu tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Harkonnen is able to avoid easily.
Harkonnen slips a straight right by Baluu.
Harkonnen lands a head shot.
Baluu looks to land a left hand but Harkonnen moved out of range nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A bone on bone clash there as Harkonnen blocks the leg kick.
Harkonnen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Baluu.
Baluu paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Harkonnen is looking to land body kicks.
Harkonnen throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Baluu looks to land a right hand but Harkonnen moved out of range.
Baluu with a body punch. A glancing blow.
A looping hook to the body misses from Baluu. Harkonnen does a little dance to reset his feet.
A bone on bone clash there as Baluu blocks the leg kick.

Baluu forces Harkonnen back against the cage and clinches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Harkonnen.

Harkonnen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Harkonnen avoids the body shot from Baluu.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Harkonnen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Baluu misses its intended target.
Baluu turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Harkonnen steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Baluu.
Baluu looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Baluu throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Harkonnen misses with a double jab.
Baluu misses with a hook
and Baluu takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Harkonnen looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Baluu misses with a wild combination.
Harkonnen fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Baluu.
Nice body kick from Harkonnen.
Harkonnen misses with a kick to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baluu rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Harkonnen moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Baluu just misses with a punch to the body.
Baluu lands a leg kick that knocks Harkonnen off balance momentarily.
Harkonnen pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Baluu throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Balu Baluu seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A head kick from Harkonnen lands but Baluu takes it in his stride.
Baluu looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Baluu tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Harkonnen was well out of range. Poor timing from Baluu.
Baluu throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Harkonnen counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Harkonnen takes one on the chin but seems OK.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Baluu takes a swing at Harkonnen's ribcage but misses.
Harkonnen thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Baluu if he has to take too many more of those.
Harkonnen throws a hook but Baluu avoids it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Balu Baluu will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Baluu throws a body punch but Harkonnen moves out of range.

Baluu closes the distance and clinches.
Baluu is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Harkonnen is defending well for now.
Baluu taking a breather.
Harkonnen wants to break free but Baluu has control.
Baluu keeps control of Harkonnen as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
A body shot lands from Baluu.

Harkonnen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Harkonnen throws a front kick that sends Baluu stumbling back into the cage.
Baluu throws a right and a left that Harkonnen avoids nicely.
Baluu feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Harkonnen's calf.
Baluu tries a low kick but Harkonnen avoids it.
Baluu uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Harkonnen.
Harkonnen thows a body shot but no joy.
Harkonnen feints and then cracks Baluu's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Baluu down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harkonnen has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Harkonnen throws an overhand right that lands on Baluu's shoulder, as Baluu tries to avoid the shot.
Harkonnen on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Harkonnen tries to land a front kick but Baluu steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Baluu looks to land a left hand but Harkonnen moved out of range nicely.
Harkonnen connects with a good right hand that stumbles Baluu. Baluu circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Baluu has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Harkonnen.
Harkonnen scoring well with a low kick there.
An inside leg kick from Harkonnen misses.
Baluu smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

Harkonnen takes the fight into the clinch.
Harkonnen struggles to land a body shot inside as Baluu controls his hands.
Baluu lands an elbow inside.
Baluu lands a nice elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harkonnen wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Baluu has him pressed against the cage.
Baluu trying to land knees to the body.
Baluu's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Harkonnen lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Harkonnen blocks a body shot from Baluu.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Baluu is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Harkonnen is defending well for now.
Harkonnen can't find room to land a body shot as Baluu controls the action.

Harkonnen breaks the clinch.
Harkonnen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Baluu throws out the jab.
Harkonnen throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Harkonnen looks to land a body kick but Baluu moved away.
Baluu blocks the body kick.
Harkonnen misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Baluu misses with a body shot.
Baluu fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Harkonnen checks it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baluu scores with a crisp jab that stopped Harkonnen in his tracks.
Harkonnen throws a push kick but Baluu slaps the foot to one side.
Harkonnen looks to score with a jab to the body but Baluu is just out of range.
Baluu wants to clinch.
Baluu scores with a body shot.
Baluu tries a low kick but Harkonnen avoids it.
Harkonnen slips a straight right by Baluu.
Baluu is looking to score with low kicks.
Baluu feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Harkonnens jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Baluu tries to close the distance and clinch but Harkonnen swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Baluu lands a slapping body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harkonnen thumps Baluu with a low kick.
Harkonnen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Harkonnen is looking to score with low kicks.
A looping hook to the body misses from Harkonnen. Baluu does a little dance to reset his feet.
Baluu takes a swing at Harkonnen's ribcage but misses.
Harkonnen tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Harkonnen lands the left hand.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Harkonnen.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A good leg kick by Baluu.
Harkonnen throws the kick towards the body but Baluu avoids it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Harkonnen misses with a left hand
and Baluu counters with a thumping low kick.

Harkonnen takes the fight into the clinch.
Harkonnen tries a body shot but Baluu blocks it.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Balu Baluu.
I think Baluu 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 29:29
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 28:29
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!