PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Krug Barishkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bill Ballantine (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Barishkov comes to the cage accompanied by Angel of Death - Slayer. Krug Barishkov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Barishkov
vs
Ballantine

190 cm
30
280 lbs
10 - 8 - 0

195 cm
26
230 lbs
6 - 9 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Dangerous knees
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Tokyo United Fightwear

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 10 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Krug Barishkov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Bill Ballantine!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Shigeki Sano and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ballantine tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Ballantine takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ballantine tries to close the distance and clinch but Barishkov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A quick step to the side and Barishkov tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ballantine throws a low kick, looking for Barishkov's leg but Barishkov calmly moves out of range.
Barishkov moves forwards but Ballantine connects with a nice, crisp jab.

Ballantine drops Barishkov with a left right combo! Ballantine follows him down to the ground into side control.

It looks like Krug Barishkov has been cut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Barishkov is looking to reverse the position.

Ballantine goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Barishkov has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Ballantine but great work by Barishkov.
A lull in the action here.
Ballantine wants to control but Barishkov postures up.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ballantine keeping his opponent close.
A lull in the action here.
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That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Barishkov taking a breather here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Ballantine is trying to improve his position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Ballantine takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Barishkov moves out of range of the strikes.
A slow jab from Barishkov misses its intended target.
Ballantine lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.

Barishkov drives through and clinches with Ballantine against the cage.
Barishkov tries a knee to the head but Ballantine blocks it.
Barishkov prevents a body shot from Ballantine.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ballantine throws a head punch that misses.
Ballantine lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Barishkov is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Barishkov blocks an uppercut.
I was talking to Barishkov's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
A bit of stalling here from Barishkov.
Barishkov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ballantine swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ballantine tries to work over Barishkov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Barishkov lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Barishkov with a knee to the head.
Barishkov lands a left hand that snaps the head of Ballantine backwards.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Barishkov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

Ballantine is rocked!
Barishkov utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Ballantine is still on wobbly legs! Can Barishkov finish him?
Barishkov blocks a body shot from Ballantine.
Barishkov is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Barishkov has Ballantine pressed against the cage. He pushes Ballantine back and as he springs towards him off the cage, Barishkov throws a beautiful elbow that sends Ballantine crashing to the floor! Barishkov piles on the pressure with more strikes! Ballantine is flailing away but he's not defending himself and the referee steps in to stop the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Krug Barishkov!
A victorious Krug Barishkov thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.