PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Finn Balor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bruce Armstrong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Balor's entrance music is Monster. A fine choice. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Balor
vs
Armstrong

172 cm
36
152 lbs
27 - 11 - 1

188 cm
29
155 lbs
18 - 5 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Solid Muay Thai
Good gas tank

BHP Clothing

Bullet Proof System

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 27 - 11 - 1, fighting out of New York, Finn Balor!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Bruce Armstrong!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Jeff Smith and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Good shot there by Balor.
Armstrong slips under a jab.
And Armstrong responds with a good body kick, but Balor manages to step out the way in time.
Balor looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Balor lands a nice shot that snaps Armstrong's head back.
Armstrong on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Balor. Balor obviously looking to wear him down.
Balor throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Armstrong on the side of the head.

Balor gets tackled into the cage by Armstrong. Armstrong maintains the clinch.
Armstrong is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Armstrong ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Armstrong no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Armstrong looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Balor passes into side control.
We've been hearing that Balor has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.

Balor goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Armstrong rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Balor's guard! Nice work there by Armstrong!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Armstrong being controlled here momentarily.
Balor looking to hit a scissor sweep but Armstrong is one step ahead there.
Balor keeping moving, preventing Armstrong from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balor is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Balor wants to stand and escape but Armstrong is having none of it.
Balor trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Armstrong trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Armstrong is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Balor is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Balor has escaped and now he's on top!

Balor slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Armstrong tries to improve position but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balor trying to control the position but Armstrong is working away.
Armstrong tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Balor wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Armstrong can't do much from the bottom here.
Balor wants to lay and pray for a moment but Armstrong keeps working.
Armstrong is trying to improve his position.
Balor scores with punches from side control.
Armstrong takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Armstrong is trying to control Balor's posture but Balor avoids it.
Armstrong is not in a great position here, taking some shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Armstrong is trying to improve his position.

Balor is trying to get an arm triangle but Armstrong is defending well.
Balor is looking to take a break and control but Armstrong is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Balor happy to just control the position for now.
Armstrong is not content to let Balor control the position.
Armstrong manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balor has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Armstrong is working away from the top position though.

Armstrong is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Balor is just riding it out for now. Armstrong eventually gives up the hold.

Armstrong is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Armstrong with the ground and pound but Balor uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Armstrong tries to free his leg and advance position but Balor is retaining full guard.
Balor is trying to control the position but Armstrong postures up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Armstrong preventing the sweep.

Balor is looking for a triangle but Armstrong pushes his legs off easily.
Balor not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Finn Balor dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Armstrong shoots in looking for a takedown but Balor manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Armstrong's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Balor connects with a leg kick. Armstrong looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Armstrong misses with a takedown
and Balor connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Balor throws a body punch but Armstrong moves out of range.
Armstrong doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Balor counters with a slapping leg kick.
Finn Balor has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bruce Armstrong.

Armstrong closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Balor digs a right hand into Armstrong's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Armstrong's gas tank.
Balor misses with a hook to the ribs.
Balor lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Armstrong.
Balor can't find room to land a body shot as Armstrong controls the action.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Balor lands a hook that snaps the head of Armstrong backwards.
Balor prevents the takedown attempt.

Armstrong manages to pull guard.
Balor working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Balor avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balor looking to sit in guard and control but Armstrong gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Armstrong postures up.
Balor managing to control the position.
Balor looking to control.
Armstrong engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Balor is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Balor looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Armstrong looking to pass the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Armstrong throws an elbow that misses. Balor uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Armstrong's guard. Nice move by Balor!

Balor is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Balor landing with the ground and pound.
Balor trying to control the position from guard on top but Armstrong is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Armstrong has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Balor is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Armstrong.
Armstrong on the wrong end of some ground and pound.

Balor is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Armstrong knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Balor tries for a kimura but Armstrong is defending well.
Armstrong tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Armstrong is not content to let Balor control the position.
Balor scoring with punches from side control.
Finn Balor overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Armstrong is looking for a sweep.
Balor landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Armstrong is looking to regain half guard here but Balor keeps moving and retains side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Armstrong can't do much from the bottom here.
Armstrong is not content to let Balor control the position.
Balor in side control lands a decent elbow.
Armstrong is trying to get back to half guard.
Balor lands a nice forearm strike.
Armstrong gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nice strikes from Balor there.

Balor is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Armstrong doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Balor.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Finn Balor dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Balor thumps Armstrong with a low kick.
Armstrong on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Balor looks to throw a body kick
and Armstrong counters with a slapping leg kick.
Armstrong shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Balor as he avoids it easily.
Armstrong has a takedown stuffed.
Armstrong takes one on the chin but seems OK.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Balor throws a sloppy head kick and Armstrong moves out of range easily.
Balor throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Armstrong tries to clinch
and Balor counters with a nice body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balor throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Armstrong changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Balor tries to avoid it but Armstrong manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Balor to the ground. Balor escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Finn Balor has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bruce Armstrong.
Balor thows a left - swing and a miss!
Armstrong blocks a jab.
Armstrong appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Armstrong takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Balor looks to score with a jab to the body but Armstrong is just out of range.
Armstrong looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Balor is fending him off so far but Armstrong persists. Nope, Balor circles away and we're back to standing.
Armstrong shoots in for a double leg but Balor sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Balor is looking for a counter combo.
Balor connects with a leg kick. Armstrong looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Balor throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Armstrong shoots in and bounces Balor off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Balor trying to control the position.
Balor is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Armstrong can do to turn this around?
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balor wants to get back to his feet but Armstrong is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Balor is trying to keep Armstrong in close.
Armstrong wants to control from the top but Balor keeps moving.
Armstrong in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Balor seems keen to control Armstrong's posture.

Armstrong is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Balor is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Balor has escaped and now he's on top!

The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Balor trying to control but Armstrong is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balor keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Armstrong's head.
Armstrong keeping full guard, as Balor tries to pass.
Armstrong keeping moving, preventing Balor from controlling successfully.
Bruce Armstrong has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Finn Balor is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Balor might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Armstrong looking to hit a scissor sweep but Balor is one step ahead there.

Balor got a little sloppy there for a moment and Armstrong has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Balor has managed to get both his arms back between Armstrong's legs - danger averted.
Armstrong looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Armstrong doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Balor 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.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Balor connects with a solid leg kick.
Armstrong walks into a jab.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Armstrong.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Balor jabs at Armstrong's body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Finn Balor showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Balor 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Finn Balor!
Finn Balor opened up his post fight interview with a scream to camera that he wants a title shot! Whether he deserves the shot will be up to the management of the organization, so I guess he'll have to wait and see.