PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Akuma Ankokushin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chris Balisi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chris Balisi has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Akuma Ankokushin's chin.

Ankokushin
vs
Balisi

200 cm
25
210 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

185 cm
18
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Akuma Ankokushin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Chris Balisi!
The judges for this bout are Dirk Anderson, Michael Johnstone and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ankokushin throws a nice looking combination but Balisi bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Ankokushin connects with a body shot that sends Balisi's belly button to the back.
Ankokushin throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Balisi.

Balisi shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Ankokushin's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Balisi throws a strike but Ankokushin rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Balisi thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Balisi doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Balisi doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Ankokushin slips nicely into half guard, despite the strikes coming from Balisi.
Balisi is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Balisi makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Balisi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ankokushin has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Balisi is proving hard to escape from.
Balisi trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Balisi trying to strike off his back.
Ankokushin is breathing heavily.
Balisi throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

Ankokushin gets to his feet. Balisi looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Ankokushin keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Ankokushin is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
Akuma Ankokushin is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ankokushin lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Balisi circles away quickly and effectively.
Balisi throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ankokushin's waist but Ankokushin gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Balisi off to one side.
Ankokushin lands a jab-cross combination.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Balisi gets a takedown into half guard.

Ankokushin kicks Balisi off and gets back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nice shot by Ankokushin.
Ankokushin stuffs the takedown attempt from Balisi. Balisi gets slowly back to his feet.
Akuma Ankokushin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chris Balisi.
Balisi on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Ankokushin misses with a series of wild punches.

Balisi changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Ankokushin looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Ankokushin is trying to get back to his feet.
Check out the look on Balisi's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Balisi throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Balisi cracks Ankokushin with an elbow. That is naaassty.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The ground and pound from Balisi seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Balisi working the ground and pound but Ankokushin is defending the strikes.
Balisi throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Ankokushin works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Balisi thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ankokushin's head.
Balisi lands strikes from half guard.
Balisi wants to pass to mount but Ankokushin is defending the position.
Balisi thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ankokushin's head.
Balisi thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ankokushin's head.
Balisi is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ankokushin blocking the ground and pound attempt from Balisi.
Balisi throwing shots but Ankokushin is blocking nicely.
Ankokushin regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Balisi.

Ankokushin has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Balisi is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Ankokushin wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Ankokushin wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Balisi drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Ankokushin gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Balisi is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Ankokushin pulls him back up using the underhooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Balisi takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Ankokushin lands an overhand right.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Ankokushin, as that shot connected.

Balisi gets the takedown into side control.
Balisi working the body and head with strikes.
Ankokushin avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Balisi.
The strikes coming from Balisi are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Balisi is trying to ground and pound but Ankokushin uses the momentary lack of control by Balisi to regain half guard.
Ankokushin pushes Balisi off looking to stand but Balisi dives back in and keeps control.
Balisi thows a huge punch but Ankokushin dodges it nicely.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Balisi not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balisi lands strikes from half guard.
Chris Balisi has got the better of the ground game so far.
Balisi throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Ankokushin taking some punishment here, with Balisi in his half guard.
Ankokushin avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Balisi.
Balisi sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Ankokushin defending well though.
Balisi throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Balisi lands with a punch from half guard.
Balisi lands with a punch from half guard.
Balisi throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Balisi thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ankokushin's head.
Ankokushin is looking to escape.
Balisi winds up and cracks Ankokushin with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ankokushin is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Balisi scores with a couple of nice shots.
Balisi throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Balisi connects with a nice short shot to Ankokushin's temple.

Ankokushin kicks Balisi off and gets back to his feet.
Ankokushin defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Balisi.
Ankokushin slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Ankokushin throws a series of punches but Balisi moves out of range.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ankokushin throws out a loose jab but Balisi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ankokushin looks to land a combination but Balisi avoids it well.

Balisi fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Ankokushin sprawls well initially but Balisi persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Ankokushin manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Balisi slips a jab and a cross from Ankokushin.

Balisi drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Balisi connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Ankokushin some visible discomfort.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balisi cracks Ankokushin with a big elbow.
Balisi in side control, throwing shots but Ankokushin defends.
Ankokushin managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Balisi.
Balisi misses with the ground and pound.
Balisi throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Balisi with the ground and pound but Ankokushin regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Balisi winds up and cracks Ankokushin with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Balisi thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ankokushin's head.
Balisi sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Ankokushin defending well though.
Balisi thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ankokushin's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balisi looks to land a strike but Ankokushin avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Balisi loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Balisi throwing strikes but missing.
Ankokushin is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Balisi can do to turn this around?
Balisi postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Balisi working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Balisi must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Balisi pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ankokushin is keeping the position for now.
Balisi throwing strikes but missing.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Ankokushin manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Akuma Ankokushin will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Balisi changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Ankokushin tries to avoid it but Balisi manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Ankokushin to the ground. Ankokushin escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Ankokushin lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

Ankokushin gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Balisi to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Balisi is looking to work some ground and pound but Ankokushin has wrist control.
Ankokushin avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Balisi throws a big elbow that misses.
Balisi loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Balisi postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Balisi stands up over Ankokushin, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ankokushin preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Ankokushin working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Balisi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ankokushin utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Balisi works over Ankokushin with some ground and pound from guard.
Ankokushin utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Balisi landing some decent shots from guard.

Ankokushin uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Balisi drops his hands momentarily and Ankokushin takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Balisi tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Ankokushin defends well and Balisi ends up having to push Ankokushin into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Ankokushin misses with a double jab.
Ankokushin throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Balisi drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Balisi missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Balisi in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balisi is working Ankokushin over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Balisi postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Balisi with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Balisi throwing strikes from guard but Ankokushin blocks nicely.
Balisi throws a big right hand that misses.
Balisi scoring with punches to the head and body.

Ankokushin wriggles free and stands up.
Balisi is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Ankokushin.
Balisi shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ankokushin as he avoids it easily.
Akuma Ankokushin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chris Balisi.
Ankokushin throws a series of punches but Balisi avoids them all with ease.
Ankokushin is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Ankokushin fails to land with a series of punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ankokushin misses with a looping right.
Ankokushin misses with a wild combination.
Balisi closes this distance looking for a takedown but Ankokushin circles away.
Akuma Ankokushin is winning the standup battle so far.
Balisi shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ankokushin as he jumps to the side.
Ankokushin misses with a jab, cross combination.

Ankokushin gets caught flat footed, as Balisi shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Balisi postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Balisi wants to pass the guard but Ankokushin is keeping the position.
Balisi throws a big right hand that misses.
Ankokushin avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Balisi throwing strikes but missing.
Ankokushin wants to get back to his feet but Balisi is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Chris Balisi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balisi is in close to Ankokushin's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Balisi throws an elbow that misses. Ankokushin uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Balisi's guard. Nice move by Ankokushin!

Balisi scores with a short punch from the bottom.
Balisi will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Balisi tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Balisi has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Ankokushin 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 Balisi.

Ankokushin decides to stand up, so the ref orders Balisi to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Akuma Ankokushin showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Ankokushin, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Dirk Anderson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Akuma Ankokushin!