PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rocky Balboa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Saem Black (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rocky Balboa had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Balboa
vs
Black

190 cm
26
215 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

185 cm
21
220 lbs
7 - 6 - 1

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Conquer

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rocky Balboa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Saem Black!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Frank Dennis and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A swing and a miss from Balboa.
Black changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Balboa with a nice cross.

It looks like Saem Black has been cut.
Balboa takes a swing at Black's ribcage but misses.
Black on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Balboa misses with a body punch

and Black counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Black.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Balboa wants to sweep but no luck.
Black tries to free his leg and advance position but Balboa is retaining full guard.
Black missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Balboa looking to control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Black is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Balboa preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Balboa knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Black on the ground.
Black stays in close to Balboa's body and controls the position.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Black preventing the sweep.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Black is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Balboa moves into range and connects with a jab.
Black keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Black feints the counter takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Balboa misses its intended target.
Balboa slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Balboa throws a shot to the body.
Balboa with a hook.
Black bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Balboa throws the left hand but Black avoids the punch easily.
Black is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balboa lands with a right hand.
Balboa connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Balboa thows a left - swing and a miss!
Black is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Balboa thuds his right hand into Black's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Nice jab there from Balboa.
Black takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Balboa throws a big shot that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Balboa finds it's way through Black's defenses.
Balboa tests Black's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Balboa scores with a jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Good standup being displayed there by Balboa as he connects with a hook.
Balboa throws out a powerful jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rocky Balboa dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Saem Black's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Balboa lands with a right hand.
Balboa throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
And Black tries to counter it with a takedown but Balboa pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Balboa scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Balboa scores with a jab to the jaw.
Balboa lands a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Balboa thuds his right hand into Black's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Black circles away from the clinch attempt.
Black changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Nice uppercut lands for Balboa. That snapped Black's head back.
Balboa wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Black with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Balboa to score with a decent uppercut.
Black drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Rocky Balboa is winning the standup battle so far.
Black needs to keep his hands up - Balboa had a free shot at his head there.
Balboa throws a lazy uppercut

and Black counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Balboa is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Black can do to turn this around?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Black stopping the sweep attempt from Balboa.
Black controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Balboa looking for a sweep. Not yet Balboa, not yet.
Black looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Balboa on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Balboa tries to get out of the position.
Black's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
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 three minutes gone in the round.
Black throws a big right hand that misses.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Balboa tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Black counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Balboa tries to get to full guard but Black has control of the leg.
Black controlling the action here.
Balboa wants to improve his position but Black is controlling well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Black throwing shots but Balboa is blocking nicely.
Black lands strikes from half guard.
Balboa tries to roll over but Black keeps him under control.
Balboa is not content to let Black control the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Black might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Balboa haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rocky Balboa dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Saem Black's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

A swing and a miss from Balboa.
Balboa swings and misses with a hook to the body.
And Black tries to counter it with a takedown but Balboa pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Balboa lands a slapping body shot.
Balboa misses with a straight right.
Balboa misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Black.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Balboa lands with a shot to the body.
Balboa throws a lazy uppercut

and Black counters with a takedown into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Black connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Balboa some visible discomfort.
Black lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Balboa down.
Balboa tries to improve position but can't.
Black landing a few strikes.
Black working the ground and pound from side control.
Balboa is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Balboa taking a bit of punishment here - Black scoring with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balboa is trying to get back to half guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Black working the ground and pound but Balboa is defending the strikes.
Black cracks Balboa with a big right hand but Balboa just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Balboa is looking to regain half guard here but Black keeps moving and retains side control.
Black has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Saem Black has got the better of the ground game so far.
Balboa is trying to control Black's posture but Black avoids it.
Black in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Black landing strikes.
Black working away.
Black lands a nice forearm strike.
Black takes a little break here. Balboa wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Black is putting a hurting on Balboa here, landing some big shots from side control.
Black is looking to take a break and control but Balboa is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Black working the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Black creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Balboa sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Black scoring with punches and elbows.
Balboa wants to control but Black postures up.
Black lands a decent elbow from side control.
Balboa tries to buck Black off but Black is having none of it.
Balboa tries to control but Black manages to take his back.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Balboa is covering up but some of the strikes from Black are getting through and doing damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Can Balboa hold on?! Black is landing more strikes to his hapless foe.

And that's the end of the fight!
Saem Black comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Balboa has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 29:28

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