PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rudolf Leblanc (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rocky Balboa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rudolf Leblanc has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Leblanc
vs
Balboa

176 cm
24
279 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

192 cm
25
240 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
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 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rudolf Leblanc!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rocky Balboa!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Aleksandr Martynov and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Leblanc misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Balboa.
Balboa keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Leblanc really is a fat lump.
Leblanc changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Balboa tries to avoid it but Leblanc manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Balboa to the ground. Balboa escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Balboa takes the fight into the clinch.
Balboa jumps guard but Leblanc stands there with Balboa around his waist. Balboa gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Balboa jumps guard but Leblanc turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Leblanc breaks the clinch.
Balboa throws a head kick that misses.
Leblanc blocks the body kick.

Balboa lands a left and a right that send Leblanc crashing to the mat, dazed. Balboa thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!

Leblanc is rocked!

It looks like Rudolf Leblanc has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Leblanc tries to keep at a distance but Balboa has taken the fight into the clinch.
Oh Leblanc is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Balboa has Leblanc pressed against the cage, preventing Leblanc from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Balboa.
Balboa tries to land a knee to the head but Leblanc blocks with his arms.
Balboa is trying to break the clinch but Leblanc has him pressed against the cage.
Leblanc stops a takedown attempt from Balboa.
Rudolf Leblanc has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rocky Balboa.
Leblanc wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
The referee is keeping an eye on Balboa - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

Balboa ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Balboa no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Balboa has his hands on Leblanc's head, controlling the position.
Let's hope that Balboa has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

Balboa manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Leblanc seems to have got his legs back now.
Balboa misses with a head kick.
It looked like Leblanc was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Balboa throws a push kick but Leblanc slaps the foot to one side.
Balboa misses with a low kick.
A little feinted left hand from Leblanc on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Rocky Balboa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Balboa shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Leblanc as he avoids it easily.
Balboa swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
As Balboa looks to move away, Leblanc throws a big counter combo bu Balboa just gets out of the way.
Balboa showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Leblanc.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Leblanc does no damage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Balboa misses with a low kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Balboa. Leblanc does a little dance to reset his feet.
Leblanc fails in his attempt to clinch.
Balboa fails with a takedown attempt.
Balboa misses with a low kick as Leblanc jumps back.
Leblanc swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Horrible takedown attempt by Leblanc or perhaps it was just good defense by Balboa, which made it look bad.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balboa shoots in and drives through. Leblanc sprawls well.
Leblanc stuffs the takedown attempt from Balboa. Balboa gets slowly back to his feet.
Balboa looks winded!
Leblanc tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Balboa swivels and escapes.
Balboa tries to counter by closing the distance.

Balboa clinches.
Leblanc is trying to break the clinch but Balboa has him pressed against the cage.
Balboa jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Leblanc walks away with a smile on his face. Balboa gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Leblanc fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Balboa avoids it really well and circles away.
Leblanc tries to close the distance and clinch up but Balboa swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leblanc ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Leblanc looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Balboa is fending him off so far but Leblanc persists. Nope, Balboa circles away and we're back to standing.

Balboa lands a left and a right that send Leblanc crashing to the mat, dazed. Balboa thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Leblanc ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Balboa moves away.
Balboa dives in and grabs Leblanc's left leg, looking for a takedown. Leblanc pushes down on Balboa's head and hops out.
Balboa tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Leblanc was well out of range. Poor timing from Balboa.

Balboa gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Balboa tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Leblanc just stands there and leans against the cage.
Balboa misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Leblanc.
Balboa is trying to push Leblanc away but Leblanc has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
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 Rudolf Leblanc's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Balboa shoots in for a takedown but Leblanc shows good takedown defense.
Balboa throws a nice looking combination but Leblanc bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Leblanc gets tackled into the cage by Balboa. Balboa maintains the clinch.
Leblanc is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Balboa gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Balboa throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Leblanc blocks it with crossed arms.
Leblanc has Balboa pressed against the cage, preventing Balboa from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Leblanc tries to break free but Balboa pushes him back against the cage.
Leblanc keeps control of Balboa as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Balboa tries to pull guard but Leblanc holds him up against the cage and eventually Balboa drops back down to his feet.
Balboa is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Leblanc wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balboa stalls.
Leblanc keeps control of Balboa as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Leblanc is trying to break the clinch but Balboa has him pressed against the cage.
Leblanc gets underhooks to prevent Balboa's takedown attempt.
Rudolf Leblanc has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rocky Balboa.
Balboa has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Balboa is looking to break free of the clinch but Leblanc has double underhooks.
Leblanc wants to break free but Balboa has control.
Balboa jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Leblanc walks away with a smile on his face. Balboa gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Balboa drives through and clinches with Leblanc against the cage.
Balboa drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Balboa is breathing heavily.
Balboa jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Leblanc walks away with a smile on his face. Balboa gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Leblanc dodges the punch combination from Balboa.
Balboa closes the distance and clinches up with Leblanc, looking for a takedown. Balboa pushes Leblanc against the cage but Leblanc circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Leblanc shoots in for a takedown but Balboa shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Leblanc pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Balboa shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Leblanc but Leblanc pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Leblanc seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Balboa throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Leblanc.
As Balboa looks to move away, Leblanc throws a big counter combo bu Balboa just gets out of the way.
Balboa tries to score a power double leg takedown but Leblanc sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Balboa somewhat.
As Balboa looks to move away, Leblanc throws a big counter combo bu Balboa just gets out of the way.
Balboa has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Leblanc shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Balboa is trying to defend but Leblanc finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Leblanc throwing shots but Balboa is blocking nicely.
Leblanc throwing shots but Balboa is blocking nicely.
Leblanc throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Leblanc looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Balboa with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balboa is trying to maintain the position but Leblanc is very close to passing his half guard.
Leblanc is looking to take a break and control but Balboa is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Leblanc not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Leblanc shoots in but Balboa avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Leblanc throws a low kick but it's checked well by Balboa.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Balboa displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Leblanc.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Rudolf Leblanc will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Rudolf Leblanc's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Balboa throws a leg kick but Leblanc moved away.
Rudolf Leblanc is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Balboa throws a right and a left that Leblanc avoids nicely.
Leblanc went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.

Balboa clinches.
Balboa wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Balboa is trying to push Leblanc away but Leblanc has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Leblanc is trying to force a seperation but Balboa has the dominant position.
Leblanc blocks an elbow strike from Balboa.
Balboa drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Leblanc wants to get back to striking at distance but Balboa won't allow it.
Leblanc has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Balboa avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Leblanc breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Leblanc shoots for a double leg takedown but Balboa sprawls well. He's pushed Leblanc's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Balboa moves into the clinch successfully.
Balboa is trying to break the clinch but Leblanc has him pressed against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Balboa's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Leblanc is trying to break the clinch but Balboa is controlling him.
Balboa is looking to break free of the clinch but Leblanc has double underhooks.
Leblanc looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Balboa tries to pull guard but Leblanc holds him up against the cage and eventually Balboa drops back down to his feet.
Leblanc is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Rudolf Leblanc has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rocky Balboa.

Leblanc jumps into guard, dragging Balboa to the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leblanc trying to strike off his back.
Balboa preventing the sweep.
Leblanc is working hard here to advance position.

Leblanc escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Balboa gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Leblanc might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Leblanc is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Balboa throws a big elbow that misses.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Balboa accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Leblanc is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Balboa gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Balboa decides to pull guard.
Balboa working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Leblanc.
Leblanc throws an elbow that misses. Balboa uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Leblanc's guard. Nice move by Balboa!

Leblanc avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Balboa throws a big right hand that misses.
Leblanc utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Balboa working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Balboa drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Leblanc manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Balboa has Leblanc in his guard.

Leblanc postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Balboa throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Rudolf Leblanc overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Balboa takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Leblanc loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Balboa wants to sweep here but Leblanc controlling him for the moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rocky Balboa comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Balboa has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 28:29
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 28:29

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