PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jami Balkan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eliah Marshal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Marshal has chosen Remember the name as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Balkan
vs
Marshal

177 cm
30
162 lbs
23 - 9 - 0

179 cm
31
155 lbs
27 - 11 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Perkele!
Fury Nutrition Inc.

Pearson Specter Litt
Mohito Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jami Balkan!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 11 - 0, fighting out of New York, Eliah Marshal!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Yuuki Gou and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Marshal checks a leg kick.
Marshal will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
A chopping leg kick lands by Balkan.
Balkan seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Marshal blocks a low kick nicely.
Balkan bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
The crowd cheers as Marshal lands an impressive looking overhand right. Balkan doesn't seem phased though.
Balkan clobbers Marshal with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
A lazy body kick from Marshal
and Balkan counters with a nice uppercut.
Marshal fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Balkan.
Balkan clobbers Marshal with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Balkan, right into the meat.
Marshal misses with a straight right.
Balkan connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A nice leg kick lands there from Marshal.
Balkan throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nice uppercut there from Marshal.
Balkan's corner calls for a 1-2. Balkan obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marshal takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Marshal lunges at Balkan with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Balkan's hand.
Balkan misses with a wild combination.
Marshal checks a leg kick.
Balkan tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
A telegraphed right hand from Balkan misses the target.
Marshal shapes to counter with a head kick.
Balkan connects with a body shot that sends Marshal's belly button to the back.
Marshal on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Marshal wants to clinch
and Balkan makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Balkan checks a leg kick.
A little feinted left hand from Balkan on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Balkan blocks a head kick by Marshal.
A clash of legs there as Marshal blocks the low kick.
Marshal throws a body punch but Balkan moves out of range.
It appears Balkan was looking to counter with a kick there.
Marshal keeps Balkan at a distance using the push kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Marshal cracks Balkan with an open hand slap.
A chopping leg kick lands by Balkan.
Balkan lands with a shot to the body.
Balkan takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Jami Balkan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
An inside leg kick lands from Balkan.
Balkan lands with a kick to the temple. Marshal shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Balkan just misses with a punch to the body.
Balkan ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Marshal moves away.
Balkan throws a body shot but no joy.
Balkan is looking to wear down Marshal with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Balkan keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Balkan pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Marshal misses with a lunging right hand
and Balkan counters with a body kick.
Balkan moves out of range of the body kick from Marshal.
Balkan tries a low kick but Marshal avoids it.
Marshal throws the left hand but Balkan avoids the punch easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marshal with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Balkan throws the kick towards the body but Marshal avoids it.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Balkan.
Marshal lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Balkan at a distance.
Marshal lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Balkan misses with an uppercut. Marshal saw that one coming.
Balkan throws the left hand but Marshal avoids the punch easily.
Balkan checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
A quick step to the side and Balkan tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.

Marshal moves into range and clinches up with Balkan.
Balkan lands a left hand that snaps the head of Marshal backwards.
Balkan misses with some punches.
Marshal prevents a body shot from Balkan.
Balkan misses with the head strike.
Balkan blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Marshal struggles to land a body shot inside as Balkan controls his hands.

Marshal's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Balkan throws a push kick but Marshal slaps the foot to one side.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Marshal misses
and Balkan counters with a nice leg kick.
Balkan throws a low kick but Marshal moves out of range easily.
Marshal needs to keep his hands up - Balkan had a free shot at his head there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A shot to the liver by Balkan. Beautiful body shot.
Balkan bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Balkan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Marshal.
Balkan slips under a jab from Marshal.
Marshal fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Balkan.
Marshal throws a shot to the body.
Marshal slips a jab and a cross from Balkan.
Marshal sizes up Balkan with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Marshal has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Balkan.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Marshal throws a solid leg kick but Balkan takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Marshal.
Marshal checks a low kick from Balkan.
Marshal blocks a jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jami Balkan dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Good standup being displayed there by Marshal as he connects with a hook.
Balkan scores with a spinning back kick!
Balkan tried to score with a low kick but Marshal checks it.
Nice uppercut lands for Marshal. That snapped Balkan's head back.
A jab from Balkan does it's job there.
Balkan misses with a hook. Marshal ducked under it nicely.
Marshal throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Balkan fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Marshal uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Balkan has time to react.
Crunch! Balkan slams his shin into Marshal's torso.
Balkan moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Balkan has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Marshal finds it's way round the side to connect with Balkan's head.
Balkan tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Balkan uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Marshal.
Balkan connects with a body shot that sends Marshal's belly button to the back.
Balkan tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Marshal was well out of range. Poor timing from Balkan.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balkan throws a body punch but Marshal moves out of range.
Marshal tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Balkan was well out of range. Poor timing from Marshal.
Marshal throws a solid leg kick but Balkan takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Marshal.
Marshal on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Balkan fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Marshal on the side of the head.
Marshal tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Balkan was well out of range. Poor timing from Marshal.
Marshal's corner calls for a 1-2. Marshal obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Marshal takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Marshal uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Balkan.
Marshal chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Balkan can pounce on him.
Marshal tried to score with a low kick but Balkan checks it.
Marshal pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Jami Balkan is winning the standup battle so far.
Marshal throws a looping overhand right but Balkan ducks down to avoid it.
Balkan throws a leg kick that misses.
Marshal only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Marshal scores with a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balkan slips under a jab.
Balkan throws a quick counter kick to the body but Marshal avoids it.
Balkan moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Marshal throws a front kick that sends Balkan stumbling back into the cage.
Marshal takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Balkan takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Balkan throws out a leg kick but Marshal moves out of range and Balkan only half commits.
Balkan is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Marshal can do to turn this around?
Marshal throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Marshal throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Balkan connects with a good right hand that stumbles Marshal. Marshal circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Balkan lands a lovely overhand right.
Balkan takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Marshal scores with a decent looking hook.
Balkan looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Balkan misses with a body shot.
Balkan misses with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balkan throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Balkan with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Balkan ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Marshal moves away.
Marshal staying out of range there.
Balkan backing away here, and Marshal unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
A good leg kick by Balkan.
Balkan feints and then cracks Marshal's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Marshal down.
Marshal's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Balkan misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Marshal.
Marshal checks a leg kick nicely.
Marshal takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Balkan throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Balkan chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Balkan steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Marshal.
A telegraphed right hand from Marshal misses the target.
Balkan on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Marshal. Marshal obviously looking to wear him down.
Marshal misses with a low kick as Balkan jumps back.
Balkan swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marshal ducks under a wild hook from Balkan.
Balkan throws a big shot that misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Balkan. Marshal does a little dance to reset his feet.
Marshal feints a counter leg kick.
Nice body kick from Balkan.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Good standup being displayed there by Balkan as he connects with a hook.
Marshal loads up on a big right hand but Balkan slips the punch.
Nice jab there from Balkan.
An inside leg kick lands from Marshal.
Balkan buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
The fighters circle momentarily. Marshal darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Marshal on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Marshal moves out of range of the leg kick from Balkan.
A clash of legs there as Marshal blocks the low kick.
Marshal feints and then cracks Balkan's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Balkan down.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jami Balkan dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Balkan takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Balkan missing with a left hand there. Marshal was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Marshal! But no joy.
Balkan throws a body shot but no joy.
Marshal jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Marshal is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Balkan.
Marshal lands with a shot to the body.
Balkan throws a head kick that misses.
Balkan drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Marshal is looking to score with low kicks.
Nice defenses there by Marshal.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Marshal throws a wild body kick that Balkan sees coming a mile off.
Marshal lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Balkan takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Marshal avoids a kick to the body.
Marshal only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Marshal misses the shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marshal darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Balkan looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Balkan takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Marshal lands with a straight right. Balkan didn't see that one coming.
Balkan scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Marshal doesn't seem bothered though.
Balkan misses with a body kick.
Balkan fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Marshal manages to avoid it.
Marshal misses with a two punch combination.
As Marshal backs away, Balkan returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Balkan misses the shot to the body.
Marshal lands with a good body shot.
Marshal tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Marshal tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Balkan counters with a nice low kick that buckles Marshal's knee momentarily.
Marshal throws a body punch but Balkan moves out of range.
Balkan throws a body shot but no joy.
Marshal checks a low kick from Balkan.
Balkan pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Marshal takes one on the button.
Balkan checks a low kick from Marshal.
Balkan with a nice cross.
Marshal swings widly with a right hand
and Balkan counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Marshal throws a looping overhand right but Balkan ducks down to avoid it.
Balkan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Marshal.
Balkan misses with a body shot.
Marshal misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Balkan.
Balkan misses with a leg kick
and Marshal counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Balkan looks to score with a jab to the body but Marshal is just out of range.
Balkan throws the left hand but Marshal avoids the punch easily.
Balkan just misses with a punch to the body.
Marshal loads up on a big right hand but Balkan slips the punch.
Balkan is looking to counter with a body kick.
Balkan looking to land some kicks to the body here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marshal missing with a left hand there. Balkan was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A chopping leg kick lands by Marshal.
Balkan scores with a head kick.
Balkan cracks Marshal with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Marshal avoids the body shot from Balkan.
Balkan misses the jab.
Marshal swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Balkan.
Marshal is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Balkan.
Balkan wants to slow Marshal down by chopping away at his legs.
Balkan moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromMarshal.
Crunch! Balkan slams his shin into Marshal's torso.
Balkan ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Marshal moves away.
Marshal throws a nice inside leg kick.
Balkan throws a low kick but Marshal avoids it.
Balkan scores with a decent looking hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balkan lands a nice looking body kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The fighters circling - Marshal throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Marshal loads up on a big right hand but Balkan slips the punch.
Marshal rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Balkan counters with a straight right hand.
Balkan looks to score with a jab to the body but Marshal is just out of range.
Balkan thuds a left hand into Marshal's body.
Balkan scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Balkan throws a looping overhand right but Marshal ducks down to avoid it.
Balkan bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Balkan thumps Marshal with a low kick.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Balkan crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Marshal - the referee stops the clock and Balkan gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Marshal. Balkan manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Marshal tries to clinch but Balkan is having none of it.
Marshal throws a head kick but Balkan moves out of range.
Balkan swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Balkan misses the jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Jami Balkan did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Balkan swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Marshal misses with a hook. Balkan ducked under it nicely.
Marshal lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Marshal connects with a right hand. Balkan shakes it off.
Marshal takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Marshal blocks the body kick.
Marshal looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Balkan is looking to slow Marshal down with leg kicks.
Balkan takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Marshal on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Balkan throws a jab when Marshal was well out of range.
Balkan misses with a low kick as Marshal jumps back.
Balkan throws a body kick that misses.
Marshal bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Marshal throws out a loose jab but Balkan uses good head movement to avoid it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Balkan pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marshal throws a head kick that misses.
Marshal chopping away at his opponent's legs.
A lazy body kick from Marshal
and Balkan counters with a thumping low kick.
Balkan tries to land a leg kick but Marshal saw it coming and moves away.
Marshal was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Balkan connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Marshal ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Balkan moves away.
Marshal drops his hands momentarily and Balkan takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Balkan slips under a jab.
Marshal lands with a kick to the ribs.
Marshal throws a hook but Balkan blocks it.
Sloppy strikes from Marshal. Those never looked like landing.
Marshal gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Balkan.
Marshal uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Balkan has time to react.
A big left from Marshal misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No joy there for Balkan, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A good leg kick by Balkan.
Balkan misses with a two punch combination.
Marshal ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Marshal looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Marshal swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Marshal has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Balkan.
Balkan scores with a hook.
Marshal avoids the body shot from Balkan.
Balkan stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Balkan misses with a wild body shot.
Balkan checks a leg kick.
Marshal cracks Balkan with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Balkan on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Marshal throws a jab when Balkan was well out of range.
Balkan quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Marshal misses.
Balkan misses with a body kick.
Balkan throws a leg kick
and Marshal connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Balkan gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Marshal uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Balkan.
Marshal avoids a kick to the body.
Balkan connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Marshal momentarily.
Balkan throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Marshal throws a low kick but Balkan moves out of range easily.
Balkan is looking to score with low kicks.
Marshal now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Balkan gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Marshal connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Marshal attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balkan scores with a crisp jab that stopped Marshal in his tracks.
Marshal moves out of range of the body kick.
Marshal flicks out a counter leg kick but Balkan steps away.
Marshal lands with a thumping leg kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Marshal throws the left hand but Balkan avoids the punch easily.
Balkan takes a jab right on the kisser.
Balkan lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Marshal throws a jab but it's blocked by Balkan.
Marshal pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Balkan half committed to a counter leg kick.
Balkan avoids the body shot from Marshal.
Marshal looks to land a left hand but Balkan moved out of range nicely.
Marshal explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Marshal throws a head kick that misses.
Marshal misses with an uppercut.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Marshal checks a leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Eliah Marshal will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Balkan's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Marshal keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Marshal cracks Balkan with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Marshal staying out of range there.
Balkan takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Balkan scores with a hook.
Marshal scores with a nice head shot.
Marshal misses with a body shot
and Balkan counters with a good low kick that Marshal was not able to check.
Marshal misses with a body kick.
Balkan throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Balkan throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Balkan looks to throw the jab but Marshal is out of range.
Jab by Balkan.
Balkan scores with a head kick.
Balkan buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marshal throws a jab when Balkan was well out of range.
Marshal misses with a wild body shot.
Balkan throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Marshal stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Marshal keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Marshal tries a quick counter leg kick but Balkan is wise to it.
Balkan steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Marshal. That one must have hurt.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Balkan, right into the meat.
Nice defenses there by Balkan.
Balkan fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Marshal.
Marshal gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Marshal looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Marshal motions for Balkan to come forward. Marshal throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Balkan wants to land a leg kick but Marshal is out of range.
Marshal on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Marshal connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balkan takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Marshal tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Marshal thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Balkan if he has to take too many more of those.
Marshal lands with a thumping leg kick.
Balkan scores with a leg kick.
Marshal throws a chopping leg kick but Balkan manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Marshal lands a nice looking kick to the body. Balkan takes a step back to recover.
Eliah Marshal has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Marshal drops his hands momentarily and Balkan takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Marshal throws a leg kick but Balkan checks it.
Balkan swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Marshal pivots, looking for a leg kick but Balkan is out of range and Marshal settles back down.
Balkan half committed to a counter leg kick.
Marshal takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Marshal lands with a thumping leg kick.
Balkan throws an overhand right that lands on Marshal's shoulder, as Marshal tries to avoid the shot.
Marshal counters with a body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marshal dodges the punch combination from Balkan.
A big left from Marshal misses.
Balkan just misses with a punch to the body.
Decent striking displayed by Balkan there.
Marshal throws a jab but it's blocked by Balkan.
Balkan throws a leg kick but Marshal checks it.
Marshal misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Balkan.
Balkan moves out of range of the leg kick from Marshal.
Marshal ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Balkan slips a jab from Marshal.
Balkan sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
A big right from Marshal misses.
Marshal throws a leg kick but Balkan sees it coming and moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balkan uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Marshal.
Marshal walks into a left hand.
Balkan lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Balkan lands with a good body shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Balkan slips under a jab from Marshal.
Balkan feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Balkan throws an overhand right that lands on Marshal's shoulder, as Marshal tries to avoid the shot.
Balkan connects with an inside leg kick.
Balkan misses with a body shot.
Marshal lands a slapping body shot.
Marshal throws a leg kick which misses Balkan's front leg but catches the back leg as Balkan tries to avoid it.
A head kick misses from Marshal.
Marshal throws a lazy right hand but Balkan sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Marshal lands a leg kick that knocks Balkan off balance momentarily.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Jami Balkan.
Well Balkan has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 49:48
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 49:46
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jami Balkan!
Jami Balkan retains his lightweight title!
During a confident post fight interview, Jami Balkan thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.