PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Dominik Robillard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arkady Balagan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Robillard's entrance music is Orelsan - Bada Bing. A fine choice. Dominik Robillard is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Robillard
vs
Balagan

192 cm
33
201 lbs
20 - 14 - 0

182 cm
28
195 lbs
12 - 8 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Great elbows
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Good gas tank

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 20 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Dominik Robillard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Arkady Balagan!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Balagan checks a leg kick.
Balagan takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Balagan goes for a double leg but Robillard avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Robillard continues to drive forward.
Dominik Robillard seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Balagan fails with the takedown.
Robillard thows a leg kick but Balagan checks it

and Balagan counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Robillard tries to kick Balagan off but Balagan keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Balagan looks to land a strike but Robillard avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Balagan makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

It looks like Dominik Robillard has been cut.
Robillard is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Balagan is controlling him.
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.
Balagan working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Robillard pushes Balagan off and scrambles back to his feet.
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!
Balagan dives in and grabs Robillard's left leg, looking for a takedown. Robillard pushes down on Balagan's head and hops out.
Dominik Robillard has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Arkady Balagan.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Horrible takedown attempt by Balagan or perhaps it was just good defense by Robillard, which made it look bad.
A leg kick checked by Balagan.
Robillard backing away here, and Balagan unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Dominik Robillard is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Balagan shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Robillard as he avoids it easily.
Robillard is looking to chop away at Balagan's legs.
Balagan is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Robillard tries to land a body kick

and Balagan counters with a single leg into guard. Robillard didn't expect that.
Balagan with a flurry of punches that miss.
Robillard is looking to stand up but Balagan isn't so interested in that idea.
Balagan throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Robillard works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Balagan stops Robillard from standing up.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Balagan working his ground and pound in the gym.
Balagan trying to control but Robillard is working from the bottom.
Robillard wants to stand and escape but Balagan is having none of it.
Balagan with a flurry of punches that miss.
Balagan scoring with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balagan postures up and lands a big shot to Robillard's brow.

Robillard is rocked!

Dominik Robillard's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Balagan slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Oh Robillard is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Robillard seems a little lost for a moment, as Balagan dominates the positioning.
Robillard is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at Rape Academy (7 elite, 6 2x elite) that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
Balagan scores with a big shot from side control... and another... and another! Oh Robillard is done here - save him referee! More strikes land and eventually the ref does step in and Balagan can finally stop beating on his defenseless opponent!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:26 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Arkady Balagan!
After winning the bout, Arkady Balagan thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.