PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Demyan Arkhipov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Balboa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Arkhipov comes to the cage accompanied by Vitas - The Star. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Arkhipov
vs
Balboa

194 cm
23
241 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

187 cm
23
221 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

Dangerous GnP
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

Convicted
Convicted

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Demyan Arkhipov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Michael Balboa!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Balboa goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Arkhipov ducks straight into an uppercut from Balboa and tumbles to the canvas! It’s a flash knockdown though - Arkhipov maanges to regain guard straight away.

Arkhipov is rocked!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Balboa content to stall in guard here.
Oh Arkhipov is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!

Balboa gets to his feet - Arkhipov follows without any prompting.
Arkhipov seems to have got his legs back now.
Balboa misses with an uppercut. Arkhipov saw that one coming.

Arkhipov has managed to clinch.
Balboa wants to break free but Arkhipov has control.
Arkhipov prevents Balboa from breaking the clinch.
Balboa wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Arkhipov prevents Balboa from breaking the clinch.
Arkhipov tries for a takedown. No joy.
Balboa is trying to break free.
Arkhipov keeps control of Balboa as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Balboa is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Arkhipov has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Balboa regains guard immediately.
Balboa trying to control the position.
Arkhipov throwing strikes from guard but Balboa blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balboa trying to control the position.
Arkhipov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Balboa pulls Arkhipov in close to prevent any damage.
Balboa is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Balboa being controlled here, momentarily.
Balboa is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Arkhipov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Balboa swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Arkhipov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Balboa.
Balboa swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Arkhipov.
Balboa throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Arkhipov on the side of the head.
Balboa with a hook.
Arkhipov fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Demyan Arkhipov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Arkhipov is breathing heavily.
Balboa lands a jab to Arkhipov's midsection.
Arkhipov takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Balboa fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Arkhipov looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Balboa connects with a looping right hand.
Arkhipov throws a shot from downtown. Balboa moves away and avoids it.
Balboa throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Arkhipov.
Arkhipov shoots in for a takedown but Balboa shows good takedown defense.

Arkhipov shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
It looks like Arkhipov is going to stand back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balboa wants to control but Arkhipov is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Arkhipov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Balboa keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Balboa wants to get back to full guard.
Balboa wants to control but Arkhipov is keeping busy.
Arkhipov tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Balboa.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Arkhipov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Balboa but Balboa pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Balboa throws out a loose jab but Arkhipov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Arkhipov drops his hands momentarily and Balboa takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Balboa keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Balboa has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Arkhipov closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Balboa throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Arkhipov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Balboa misses with a wild combination.

Arkhipov pushes Balboa up against the cage in a clinch.
Arkhipov keeps control of Balboa as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Balboa wants to get back to striking at distance but Arkhipov won't allow it.
Balboa wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Arkhipov has him pressed against the cage.
Balboa can't break the clinch.
Arkhipov prevents Balboa from breaking the clinch.
Balboa wants to get back to striking at distance but Arkhipov won't allow it.
Balboa wants to break free but Arkhipov has control.
Arkhipov wants a takedown.

Arkhipov gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Balboa works his way to full guard. Good work.
Balboa wants to stand but Arkhipov is controlling the position.
Arkhipov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Balboa dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Balboa connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Arkhipov momentarily.
Arkhipov needs to keep his hands up - Balboa had a free shot at his head there.
Balboa sizes up Arkhipov with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Balboa lands a jab followed by a vicious hook that sends Arkhipov sprawling to the canvas. Balboa follows him down, looking for the kill. Can Arkhipov hang on?
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Balboa looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
It looks like Balboa is going to stand back up.
Balboa works his foot free and advances to mount.

Balboa stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
Balboa lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Balboa throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Arkhipov on the side of the head.
Michael Balboa is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A lazy left from Balboa finds it's target.
A left and a right from Balboa both land. Nice combination.
Arkhipov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Balboa swivels and escapes.
Balboa keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Balboa swinging wilding here.
Arkhipov throws a right and a left that Balboa avoids nicely.

Arkhipov feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Arkhipov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Balboa works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Arkhipov trying to control but Balboa is working from the bottom.
Arkhipov won't allow Balboa to get back to his feet.
Arkhipov wants to control from the top but Balboa keeps moving.
Arkhipov postures up.
Balboa looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balboa keeping full guard, as Arkhipov tries to pass.
Arkhipov has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Balboa is looking to stand up but Arkhipov isn't so interested in that idea.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Arkhipov shoots in for a takedown but Balboa shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Demyan Arkhipov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Arkhipov pushes Balboa up against the cage in a clinch.
Arkhipov drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Balboa gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Arkhipov tries for a takedown but Balboa manages to get underhooks.
Balboa can't break the clinch.
Balboa can't break the clinch.
Balboa wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Arkhipov has him pressed against the cage.

Arkhipov has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Balboa is trying to keep an underhook but Arkhipov manages to get the takedown into half guard.

Arkhipov seems to be looking for submissions.
Balboa looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balboa wants to control but Arkhipov is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Arkhipov tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Balboa.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Arkhipov working Balboa over with strikes.
Arkhipov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Balboa defending well though.
Arkhipov prevents Balboa from standing back up.
Balboa wants to control but Arkhipov is keeping busy.
Arkhipov tries to stand but can't do so whilst Balboa controls his leg.
Arkhipov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Balboa's head.
Arkhipov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Arkhipov trying to control the action but Balboa is working from the bottom.
Arkhipov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Balboa gets caught flat footed, as Arkhipov shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Arkhipov wants to control from the top but Balboa keeps moving.
Arkhipov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Balboa tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Arkhipov stops Balboa from standing up.
Arkhipov thows a big elbow that misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Arkhipov trying to control the position from guard on top but Balboa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Arkhipov is pushing down on Balboa's leg trying to pass to half guard. Balboa is fighting to maintain full guard but Arkhipov has managed to sneak the leg through.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Balboa showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

A shot to de liver by Balboa. Beautiful body shot.
A swing and a miss from Balboa.
Balboa misses with a hook.
A swing and a miss from Balboa.
Arkhipov has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Arkhipov there as he acknowledges the shot.
Balboa throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Arkhipov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Balboa lands with a straight right. Arkhipov didn't see that one coming.
Balboa lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Arkhipov slips under a jab from Balboa.
Michael Balboa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Arkhipov shoots in but no luck this time.
Balboa connects with a body shot.
Arkhipov takes one on the button.
Balboa lands with a cross.
Balboa might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.

Balboa gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Demyan Arkhipov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Arkhipov won't allow Balboa to get back to his feet.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Arkhipov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Arkhipov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arkhipov won't allow Balboa to sweep him here.
Balboa takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Arkhipov prevents Balboa from getting back to his feet.
Arkhipov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Balboa swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Arkhipov working some strikes from top position.
Balboa keeping moving, preventing Arkhipov from controlling successfully.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Balboa throws a body punch but Arkhipov moves out of range.
Balboa comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Michael Balboa seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Arkhipov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Arkhipov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Balboa.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Arkhipov.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Demyan Arkhipov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Arkhipov gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Balboa lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Arkhipov tries for a takedown but Balboa sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Balboa throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Balboa misses with a double jab.
Balboa digs a good body shot into Arkhipov's ribs.
Arkhipov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Balboa but Balboa pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Arkhipov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Balboa swivels and escapes.
Arkhipov takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Balboa swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Arkhipov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Balboa is fending him off so far but Arkhipov persists. Nope, Balboa circles away and we're back to standing.
Arkhipov shoots for a double leg takedown but Balboa sprawls well. He's pushed Arkhipov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A jab from Balboa misses.
Arkhipov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Balboa as he avoids it easily.
Arkhipov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Balboa as he jumps to the side.
Arkhipov shoots in for a double leg but Balboa sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Arkhipov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Balboa is fending him off so far but Arkhipov persists. Nope, Balboa circles away and we're back to standing.
Balboa ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balboa scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Balboa takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Balboa connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Balboa lands with a hook. Arkhipov tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Balboa scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Arkhipov on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Balboa just misses with a punch to the body.
Balboa swings for the body but Arkhipov moves out of range.

Arkhipov drives through and clinches with Balboa against the cage.
Arkhipov keeps control of Balboa as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Arkhipov keeps control of Balboa as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Balboa has had enough of the clinch but Arkhipov keeps him there for the moment.
Balboa gets underhooks to prevent Arkhipov's takedown attempt.
Arkhipov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

Arkhipov gets a trip takedown into half 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!
Arkhipov is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Arkhipov frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Arkhipov with a couple of short strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arkhipov can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Balboa is looking to escape.
Arkhipov lands a big elbow.
Balboa tries to hold on but Arkhipov postures up.
You get the feeling that Balboa really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Demyan Arkhipov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Arkhipov landing shots from mount.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Balboa tries to hold on but Arkhipov postures up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michael Balboa comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Balboa winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michael Balboa!