PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rocky Balboa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Al Horford (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Balboa
vs
Horford

180 cm
25
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

209 cm
25
255 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rocky Balboa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Al Horford!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Emerson Jorge and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Horford misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Balboa.
Horford connects with a crisp jab.
Horford misses with a right hand

and Balboa counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Horford tries to circle away but Balboa has him pinned against the cage.
Horford wants to get back to striking at distance but Balboa won't allow it.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Balboa.
Horford fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Horford is looking to break free of the clinch but Balboa has double underhooks.
Horford tries to pull guard but Balboa forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Horford is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Balboa to keep the fight standing.
Rocky Balboa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Al Horford.

Horford ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Horford no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Horford throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Balboa escapes and throws Horford's legs to the side, diving into side control!

Balboa decides to stand up, so the ref orders Horford to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Balboa clinches with his opponent.

Balboa manages to pull guard.

Balboa kicks Horford off and gets to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Balboa clinches up with Horford and pushes him back against the cage.
Horford is trying to break the clinch but Balboa has him pressed against the cage.
Balboa pressing his opponent against the cage.

Balboa pulls guard effortlessly.
Horford wants to pass the guard but Balboa is keeping the position.

Horford postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Balboa is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Horford, into his guard.

Horford working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Balboa doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Balboa manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Horford working for a triangle but Balboa defends it easily.
Horford preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Horford has his foot on Balboa's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Balboa works his way back into a safe position though.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Horford looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Balboa engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Balboa might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Horford pushes a forearm under Balboa's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, Balboa is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Al Horford!