PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Lyden Daniels (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Apollo Balboa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Balboa comes into a darkened arena with his song building. I was made for lovin you kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Apollo Balboa has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Lyden Daniels's chin.

Daniels
vs
Balboa

215 cm
25
285 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

210 cm
18
290 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Lyden Daniels!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Apollo Balboa!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Josh West and Micheangelo Fripello.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Balboa wants to clinch

and Daniels decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Balboa's guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Daniels trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Daniels is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Balboa throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

Balboa working for a triangle but Daniels defends it easily.
Balboa striking off his back but it's not causing Daniels any problems.
Daniels sitting in guard, not really doing much.

Balboa looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Daniels passes into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Daniels wants to work for an arm triangle but Balboa is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Balboa misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Balboa wants to control the action here but instead Daniels manages to pass to full mount!
Daniels content just to control the position here.
Daniels blocks Balboa's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Balboa wants to hold on but Daniels pushes him away.
Daniels landing shots from mount.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Daniels with the ground and pound from mount.
Balboa tries to control the position but Daniels now has his back.
Daniels controls the action.
Balboa just trying to survive but Daniels is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balboa rolls, trying to escape but Daniels keeps control of the position.
Balboa looks winded!

Daniels is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Balboa is defending well though. Daniels let's go of the attempt for now.
Daniels biding his time, controlling Balboa.
Daniels is not going to allow Balboa to sit and survive in this position.

Daniels looking to break Balboa's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Balboa remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Daniels will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Daniels controlling from the back.
Balboa is trying to get back to his feet but Daniels has full control of the position and if anything, Balboa has just worked his way into a worse spot.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Balboa is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.

Daniels looking for the choke from the back.

Daniels working for the choke.
Daniels doesn't have the hooks in and Balboa manages to turn into his guard.
Daniels pulls Balboa in close to prevent any damage.
Balboa must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
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!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balboa working some strikes from top position.
Balboa throws an elbow that misses. Daniels uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Balboa's guard. Nice move by Daniels!

Daniels stands and steps away. Balboa gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Apollo Balboa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Daniels goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

Daniels has Balboa up against the cage in a clinch.
Daniels prevents Balboa from breaking the clinch.

Daniels has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Balboa is trying to keep an underhook but Daniels manages to get the takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Daniels 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!
Daniels seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Daniels trying to pass the guard but Balboa defending well.
Daniels controlling the action here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lyden Daniels dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Balboa fails in his attempt to clinch.
Daniels swats away the attempt to clinch by Balboa.
Balboa tries to clinch but Daniels moves away

and Daniels counters with a single leg into guard. Balboa didn't expect that.
Daniels trying to control the position from guard on top but Balboa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Balboa wants to get back to his feet but Daniels is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Daniels wants to control from the top but Balboa keeps moving.
Lyden Daniels overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Daniels engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Lyden Daniels.
Balboa tries to clinch

and Daniels counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Balboa tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Still in half guard, Daniels seems content to control.
Balboa moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Daniels controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Daniels 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.
Balboa trying to keep a closed guard but Daniels is proving a slippery customer.
Balboa is breathing heavily.
Balboa wants to sweep here but Daniels controlling him for the moment.
Daniels distracts Balboa with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Daniels engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Balboa trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Daniels passes Balboa's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Daniels not doing much here.
Balboa strikes from the bottom but Daniels uses the opportunity to move to side control.
Daniels lands some shots froms side control.
Daniels takes a little break here. Balboa wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Daniels's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Daniels has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balboa struggling a bit here.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Balboa trying his best to control but Daniels has mounted him.
Balboa is flailing around like a fish out of water, trying to land strikes.
Daniels avoids the attempt from Balboa to control.
Daniels working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Daniels controlling his opponent.
Daniels lands a heavy elbow.

Daniels is standing up, even though he is in mount.

Daniels feints and as Balboa raises his hands in defense, Daniels changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Balboa is striking but Daniels is not phased and passes to half guard.
Daniels is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Balboa can do to turn this around?
Balboa is looking for a sweep. Daniels is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Daniels passes to full mount!
Daniels sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Balboa wants to control but Daniels is having none of it.
Balboa has given up his back, trying to stand up. Not clever.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Balboa just trying to survive but Daniels is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Oooh a big shot gets through from Daniels. Many more shots like that and the referee will have to think about stepping in!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lyden Daniels dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

A right-left combo lands from Daniels.

It looks like Apollo Balboa has been cut.
Balboa looks to clinch

and Daniels holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Balboa is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Balboa is looking to take this one to the mat.
Balboa is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Daniels gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Lyden Daniels has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Apollo Balboa.

Daniels pulls Balboa into guard.
Daniels seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Balboa accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Balboa takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Daniels has Balboa pulled in close to control his posture.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Lyden Daniels just wasn't active enough.

Daniels is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Balboa's half guard.

Daniels stands up out of the half guard.

Balboa drives through and clinches with Daniels against the cage.
Daniels gets underhooks to prevent Balboa's takedown attempt.
Daniels taking a breather.
Balboa wants to take the fight to the mat but Daniels manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Daniels gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Daniels is controlling the pace.
Daniels scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Balboa wants to sweep but Daniels has passed to side control!
Balboa trying to control but Daniels flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!
Daniels is riding his opponent, not letting Balboa buck him off.

Balboa has hold of Daniels's leg, trying to break free but it's let Daniels lock up a rear naked choke! This could be big trouble! Balboa is turning an unusual color here… he's out! Daniels throws him to one side and jumps onto the cage to celebrate with his fans.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:57 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Lyden Daniels!