PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Marian Balkon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cu Chulainn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chulainn has chosen The Blood of Cu Chulainn as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Balkon
vs
Chulainn

184 cm
25
191 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

183 cm
27
190 lbs
8 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Revolution Clothing
AnonymouS

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 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Marian Balkon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Cu Chulainn!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Jonathan Paton and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Balkon swings for the body but Chulainn moves out of range.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Chulainn has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.

Chulainn looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Balkon has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Chulainn is working away from the top position though.
Chulainn working the head and body with strikes.
Chulainn wants to lay and pray for a moment but Balkon keeps working.
Balkon keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Chulainn throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Balkon blocking the ground and pound attempt from Chulainn.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chulainn working Balkon over with strikes.
Balkon has hold of Chulainn's hands but Chulainn slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Chulainn throws a strike but Balkon avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Chulainn missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Balkon seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Chulainn with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chulainn stopping the sweep attempt from Balkon.
Balkon keeping moving, preventing Chulainn from controlling successfully.
Chulainn wants to pass the guard but Balkon is keeping the position.
Chulainn throws a big right hand that misses.
Chulainn won't allow Balkon to sweep him here.
Balkon keeping moving, preventing Chulainn from controlling successfully.
Balkon is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Chulainn postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Chulainn trying to control but Balkon is working from the bottom.
Chulainn missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Chulainn is looking to work some ground and pound but Balkon has wrist control.
Chulainn throws a big right hand that misses.
Balkon looking to control.
Chulainn is looking to work some ground and pound but Balkon has wrist control.
Chulainn postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Chulainn working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Chulainn is looking to work some ground and pound but Balkon has wrist control.
Chulainn content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Chulainn works over Balkon with some ground and pound from guard.
Balkon looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Chulainn accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Chulainn scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Balkon pulls Chulainn in close to prevent any damage.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Chulainn throws a big elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chulainn in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Chulainn throwing strikes from guard but Balkon blocks nicely.
Balkon keeping moving, preventing Chulainn from controlling successfully.
Chulainn lands a couple of elbows.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Chulainn's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Chulainn throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Chulainn working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Chulainn working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Chulainn throws a big elbow that misses.
Chulainn is looking to work some ground and pound but Balkon has wrist control.
Chulainn with a nice head shot there.
Chulainn is in close to Balkon's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chulainn chips away with some ground and pound.
Chulainn is looking to work some ground and pound but Balkon has wrist control.
Balkon working a defensive guard here.
Chulainn makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Chulainn postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Chulainn throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Balkon works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Chulainn postures up and lands a big shot to Balkon's brow.
Chulainn postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Chulainn postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Chulainn throws a big elbow that misses.
Balkon trying to control the position.
Chulainn trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cu Chulainn dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Balkon on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Balkon lands a head kick. Chulainn smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Balkon takes a jab right on the kisser.
Balkon leaves Chulainn with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Chulainn showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Balkon.
Balkon tries to close the distance and clinch up but Chulainn swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Balkon throws a hook to the side of Chulainn's head but Chulainn sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Chulainn lands a glancing blow to the side of Balkon's head.
Balkon throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Chulainn sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Balkon tries to close the distance and clinch but Chulainn swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Balkon throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Chulainn throws out a loose jab but Balkon uses good head movement to avoid it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Balkon. Chulainn does a little dance to reset his feet.
Chulainn looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chulainn shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Balkon as he jumps to the side.
Marian Balkon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cu Chulainn.
Chulainn fails with the takedown.
Chulainn moves away from the strike by Balkon.
Chulainn shoots for a takedown but Balkon saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Balkon throws a head kick but Chulainn moves out of range.
Nice takedown defense from Balkon. No joy for Chulainn on that attempt.
It looked like Balkon wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Chulainn uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Balkon.
Balkon throws a body shot but no joy.
Chulainn tries to score a power double leg takedown but Balkon sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Chulainn somewhat.
Chulainn has his takedown stuffed
enabling Balkon to counter with a crisp jab.
Balkon tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chulainn keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Marian Balkon is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Chulainn scores with a jab to the head.
Cu Chulainn seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
No luck for Chulainn with that takedown attempt.
Balkon throws a right and a left that both miss.
Chulainn steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Balkon.
Chulainn ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A telegraphed right hand from Chulainn misses the target.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Chulainn walks into a stiff left hand from Balkon.
Balkon feints a jab promting Chulainn to slip. Balkon then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Chulainn slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Chulainn takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Chulainn moves away from the strike by Balkon.
Chulainn has a takedown stuffed.
Balkon seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chulainn misses with a straight right.
Chulainn shoots for a takedown but Balkon saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Chulainn is defended easily by Balkon.
Horrible takedown attempt by Chulainn or perhaps it was just good defense by Balkon, which made it look bad.

Balkon rushes Chulainn and presses him up against the cage.

Chulainn gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Balkon has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Chulainn is working away from the top position though.
Balkon keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Balkon works his way to full guard. Good work.
Chulainn trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balkon preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Balkon controlling Chulainn's posture.
Chulainn is working Balkon over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Chulainn throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Balkon works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Chulainn is looking to work some ground and pound but Balkon has wrist control.
Chulainn works over Balkon with some ground and pound from guard.
Balkon working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Chulainn.
Chulainn trying to control but Balkon is working from the bottom.
Chulainn loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
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!
Chulainn throws a strike but Balkon rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Chulainn looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marian Balkon dominated that second 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. This is the final round!

Chulainn shoots in looking for a takedown but Balkon manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Chulainn's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Balkon was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Balkon thows a left - swing and a miss!
Balkon stuffs the takedown attempt from Chulainn. Chulainn gets slowly back to his feet.

Chulainn feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Balkon trying to control the position here.
Balkon keeping moving, preventing Chulainn from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chulainn trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Chulainn wants to control from the top but Balkon keeps moving.
Chulainn postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balkon is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Chulainn is looking for a sweep. Balkon is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Balkon in particular looking to stall.
Balkon prevents Chulainn from improving his position.
Balkon trying to control from half guard but Chulainn is working away.
Chulainn wants to improve his position but Balkon is controlling well.
Balkon wants to lay and pray for a moment but Chulainn keeps working.
Balkon takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Chulainn is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balkon is keen to just control but Chulainn is a slippery customer.
Balkon slows the pace down in half guard.
Balkon continues to stall.
Chulainn slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Chulainn can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Balkon controls the pace.
Chulainn has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Balkon trying to control the position from guard on top but Chulainn is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Balkon slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chulainn looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Chulainn lands a really nice looking cross but Balkon seems unphased.
Balkon's jab looks to have found its range, popping Chulainn under the eye.
Balkon jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Chulainn drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Balkon defends it well.
Balkon slips a jab from Chulainn.
Balkon takes a swing at Chulainn's ribcage but misses.
Balkon misses with a looping right.
Chulainn moves away from the strike by Balkon.
Balkon looks to land a left hand but Chulainn moved out of range nicely.

Chulainn shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Chulainn showed some decent athleticism there.
Balkon is trying to maintain the position but Chulainn is very close to passing his half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chulainn throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Balkon trying to control from the bottom.
Chulainn drops an elbow to the side of Balkon's head.
Balkon is trying to maintain the position but Chulainn is very close to passing his half guard.
Balkon keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Chulainn wants to control but Balkon is keeping him busy.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Chulainn working Balkon over with strikes.
Chulainn wants to take a breather but Balkon is having none of it.
Chulainn missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Chulainn throws a strike but Balkon avoids it easily and moves to full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cu Chulainn comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Chulainn 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 Dean Styles scores the fight 27:29
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 27:29
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 27:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cu Chulainn!
A loyal slave to those sponsorship dollars, Cu Chulainn made sure he mentioned AnonymouS, along with how happy he was to win his fight.