PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Richard Martinez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Balu Baluu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Martinez comes to the cage accompanied by Cool Your Engines. The crowd seem to be enjoying Baluu's choice of entrance music: WALK - Pantera. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Martinez
vs
Baluu

178 cm
32
162 lbs
22 - 16 - 1

177 cm
34
165 lbs
19 - 11 - 2

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Milwaukee's Best 160 SALE $150
CEC Nutrition Q160

CEC Nutrition Q160

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 22 - 16 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Richard Martinez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 11 - 2, fighting out of Amsterdam, Balu Baluu!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Anni Minnemäki and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Baluu on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Baluu is looking to score with low kicks.
Martinez fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Baluu uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Martinez.
Martinez thows a leg kick but Baluu checks it
and Martinez takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Good work by Baluu as he checks the leg kick.
A jab from Martinez finds it's way through Baluu's defenses.
Martinez stuns Baluu with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Martinez does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Baluu throws a combination. Martinez tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Baluu pivots, looking for a leg kick but Martinez is out of range and Baluu settles back down.
Martinez cracks Baluu with a good jab.
Martinez's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Baluu connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Martinez scrambles back to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A head kick misses from Martinez.
Martinez shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Baluu defends it nicely.
Martinez avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baluu lands a nice shot that snaps Martinez's head back.
Martinez pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Baluu is looking to slow Martinez down with leg kicks.
Martinez throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Baluu throws a nice outside leg kick.
Baluu tries a head kick but it misses.
Martinez cracks a nice hook into Baluu's ribs.
Baluu scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Baluu misses with an uppercut.
Baluu misses with an uppercut
and Martinez counters with a straight right hand.
That kick from Martinez tenderised Baluu's leg. Baluu is trying to keep his angry face on.
A looping hook to the body misses from Martinez. Baluu does a little dance to reset his feet.
Baluu ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Baluu throws a right and a left that both miss.
Baluu throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Martinez avoids the body shot from Baluu.
Baluu uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Martinez.
Baluu misses with a low kick.
Baluu lands with a hook. Martinez tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Martinez throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Baluu throws a jab when Martinez was well out of range.
Baluu throws a head kick but Martinez moves out of range.
Martinez throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.

Martinez closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Martinez lands in his opponent's guard.
Martinez is looking to work some ground and pound but Baluu has wrist control.
Baluu looking for a sweep. Not yet Baluu, not yet.
Martinez stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Baluu swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Martinez trying to control the position from guard on top but Baluu is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Martinez working some strikes from top position.
Martinez wants to control from the top but Baluu keeps moving.
Martinez pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Baluu is keeping the position for now.
Baluu is trying to hold Martinez in close to prevent damage but Martinez has managed to pass into half guard.
Baluu works his way to full guard. Good work.
Martinez won't allow Baluu to get back to his feet.
Baluu utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Martinez passes Baluu's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Baluu is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Martinez scores with a couple of nice shots.
Baluu tries to kick Martinez off but Martinez keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Martinez landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Baluu has hold of Martinez's hands but Martinez slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Martinez scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Martinez is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Martinez avoids the attempt from Baluu to control.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Baluu is squirming around, avoiding Martinez's attempts to control the action.
Martinez postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Baluu looks a forlorn figure.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Martinez just misses with a punch to the body.
Martinez bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Baluu's head.
Martinez uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Baluu.
Baluu throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Baluu looks to land a combination but Martinez avoids it well.
Martinez pivots, looking for a leg kick but Baluu is out of range and Martinez settles back down.
Baluu lands a nice looking kick to the body. Martinez takes a step back to recover.
Martinez scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Baluu throws a lazy right hand but Martinez sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Martinez loads up on a big right hand but Baluu slips the punch.
Baluu lands with a kick to the temple. Martinez shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Martinez uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Baluu.

Martinez shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Martinez is trying to control. Baluu wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Martinez not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Martinez wants to free his trapped foot but Baluu is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Martinez thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Baluu has hold of Martinez's hands but Martinez slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Martinez throwing shots but Baluu is blocking nicely.
Martinez seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Baluu tries to roll over but Martinez keeps him under control.
Martinez is trying to control. Baluu wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Martinez throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Martinez not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Baluu avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Martinez.
Martinez missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Ground and pound from Martinez.
Martinez looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Martinez missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Martinez not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Martinez drops an elbow to the side of Baluu's head.
Martinez takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Martinez trying to pass the guard but Baluu defending well.
Baluu manages to get to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Martinez slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Martinez wants to control but Baluu is keeping him busy.

Martinez working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Baluu regains half guard, as Martinez was trying to land strikes.
Martinez not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Martinez 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.
Baluu is trying to stand back up but Martinez is controlling him
Martinez landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Martinez lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Martinez not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Baluu trying to control but Martinez postures up.
Martinez not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Martinez missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Martinez lands strikes from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Richard Martinez dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Martinez with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Martinez takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Baluu misses with a wild body shot.
Martinez throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Baluu stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Martinez steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Baluu. That one must have hurt.
Baluu ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Martinez moves into range and connects with a jab.
Martinez scores with a jab. Baluu acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Martinez thows a body shot but no joy.
Baluu uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Martinez.
Martinez takes a swing at Baluu's ribcage but misses.
Baluu throws a nice looking combination but Martinez bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Martinez tries to score with a low kick but Baluu moves his leg out of the way.

Baluu moves into the clinch successfully.

Martinez's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Balu Baluu is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baluu misses with a hook. Martinez ducked under it nicely.
Baluu fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Martinez manages to avoid it.
Nice jab there from Martinez.
Martinez scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Martinez throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Martinez uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Baluu.
Martinez throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Martinez throws a jab when Baluu was well out of range.
Martinez looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Martinez connects with an inside leg kick.
Martinez avoids the head kick by Baluu.
A big left from Martinez misses.
Baluu tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Martinez manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Baluu lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Balu Baluu has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A leg kick checked by Baluu.
Martinez looks to throw the jab but Baluu is out of range.
Richard Martinez is winning the standup battle so far.
Baluu lands with a slapping head kick.
Martinez misses the jab.
A big left from Baluu misses.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Martinez misses with an attempted mid kick.
Baluu dodges the punch combination from Martinez.
Baluu lands with a cross.
Baluu blocks a leg kick.
Martinez moves out of range of the body kick.
A punch combination from Martinez misses.
Martinez circles away from the clinch attempt
enabling Martinez to counter with a crisp jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baluu showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Martinez.
Richard Martinez is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Baluu lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Martinez shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Baluu defends it nicely.

Martinez closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Martinez lands in his opponent's guard.
Martinez throws an elbow that misses. Baluu uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Martinez's guard. Nice move by Baluu!
Baluu stopping the sweep attempt from Martinez.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Martinez looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Baluu must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Baluu wants to control from the top but Martinez keeps moving.
Martinez looking to control.
Baluu slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Martinez looking for a guillotine here but Baluu defends easily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Martinez looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

And that's the end of the fight!
Richard Martinez showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Martinez, 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Richard Martinez!
Richard Martinez really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that CEC Nutrition Q160 logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.