PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Arkady Balagan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shawn Wright (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Balagan
vs
Wright

182 cm
26
195 lbs
10 - 5 - 1

183 cm
25
187 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Arkady Balagan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Shawn Wright!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Timothy Bukovac and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Wright gets a double leg takedown into Balagan's guard.
Wright postures up in Balagan's guard and throws a big left but Balagan blocks it.
Balagan pulls Wright in close to prevent any damage.
Wright postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Balagan is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Balagan looking to hit a scissor sweep but Wright is one step ahead there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wright scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wright is fighting to break Balagan's control of his arms but Balagan is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Wright throws a strike but Balagan rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Wright has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Balagan can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Balagan got a little sloppy there for a moment and Wright has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Balagan has managed to get both his arms back between Wright's legs - danger averted.
Balagan lands a couple of elbows.
We've been hearing that Balagan has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Balagan working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Wright's head.
Wright is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Balagan loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Balagan keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Wright's head.

Wright is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Balagan defends well.
Balagan preventing the sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Wright is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Balagan wants to control from the top but Wright keeps moving.
Balagan scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Balagan cracks Wright with a solid left hand.
Balagan working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Wright has momentary wrist control but Balagan slips an elbow through the middle.
Wright is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Balagan trying to control the position from guard on top but Wright is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Wright working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Balagan doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Balagan manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Balagan lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
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.
Balagan connects with a couple of short punches.
Balagan trying to control the position from guard on top but Wright is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Balagan lands a couple of digs.
Balagan landing some decent shots from guard.
Balagan is working Wright over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Wright escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Balagan gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Wright has his foot on Balagan's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Balagan works his way back into a safe position though.
Balagan scoring with some ground and pound.
Balagan landing some decent shots from guard.
Balagan is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Balagan landing some decent shots from guard.
Balagan is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Wright had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Balagan defends it easily.
Wright controls Balagan momentarily but Balagan frees himself.
Balagan chips away with some ground and pound.
Balagan postures up.
Wright is looking to sweep but instead, Balagan has passed into half guard.
Wright is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Balagan scores with a couple of nice shots.
Wright is trying to stand up here but Balagan is controlling him well.

Balagan is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Wright defends it well.

Wright looking for subs from the bottom but Balagan mounts him!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Wright is looking to improve his position but Balagan isn't that keen on the idea.
Balagan with shots to the head and body - Wright looks very uncomfortable down there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arkady Balagan dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Wright shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

It looks like Shawn Wright has been cut.
Wright misses with a head shot. Balagan uses the momentum to regain guard.

Wright stands over his opponent and dives in with a flying punch! Balagan throws up his legs and catches Wright in a triangle! Oh this looks tight! Wright tries to escape but he's forced to tap! Wow, fantastic work there by Balagan! That came out of nowhere!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:39 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Arkady Balagan!
During a confident post fight interview, Arkady Balagan thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.