PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Arkady Balagan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Abu Rock (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Balagan
vs
Rock

182 cm
30
195 lbs
13 - 10 - 1

182 cm
33
195 lbs
18 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Solid Muay Thai
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 13 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Arkady Balagan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Abu Rock!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, John Roberts and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A jab from Rock misses.
Balagan looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
A telegraphed right hand from Rock misses the target.
A counter left hand to the body from Balagan misses its target.
Rock throws a big shot that misses.
Balagan attempts a counter takedown but Rock avoids it well and moves away.
Rock swats away the attempt to clinch by Balagan.
Rock looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Rock is looking to slow Balagan down with leg kicks.

Balagan closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Rock to the mat! Rock manages to get full guard.
Balagan working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Balagan postures up.
Balagan wants to control from the top but Rock keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rock working a defensive guard here.
Balagan stands up over Rock, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Rock has momentary wrist control but Balagan slips an elbow through the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rock looking to control.
Balagan is in close to Rock's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Rock has momentary wrist control but Balagan slips an elbow through the middle.
Balagan throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Rock works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Balagan distracts Rock with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Balagan throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Rock 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.
Balagan connects with a couple of short punches.
Balagan landing with the ground and pound.
Balagan looking to pass the guard.
Balagan is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Balagan is looking to work some ground and pound but Rock has wrist control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rock is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Balagan distracts Rock with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Balagan is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Balagan landing with the ground and pound.
Balagan postures up in Rock's guard and throws a big left but Rock blocks it.
Balagan loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Rock wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Balagan in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Balagan throwing strikes from guard but Rock blocks nicely.
Balagan tries to free his leg and advance position but Rock is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rock has momentary wrist control but Balagan slips an elbow through the middle.
Balagan scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Rock bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Balagan's guard.

Rock trying to control but Balagan is working from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rock accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Rock trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Balagan manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Balagan makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balagan trying to control the position from guard on top but Rock is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Balagan chips away with some ground and pound.
Balagan won't allow Rock to get back to his feet.
Rock preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Balagan in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Balagan lands a couple of digs.
Balagan throwing strikes but missing.
Balagan 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.
Rock bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Balagan's guard.

Rock wants to control from the top but Balagan keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arkady Balagan dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Balagan checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

Balagan fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Rock sprawls well initially but Balagan persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Rock has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Balagan is working away from the top position though.
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. Balagan connects with a nice short shot to Rock's temple.
Rock is trying is best to control the position here.
Balagan missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Balagan throwing shots but Rock is blocking nicely.
Arkady Balagan overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Balagan takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Balagan throwing shots but Rock is blocking nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Balagan throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Nice strikes from Balagan there.
Balagan working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

Balagan is working for a kimura but Rock is defending it quite comfortably.
Rock avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Balagan.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balagan wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rock keeps working.
Rock on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Rock on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Rock trying to control from the bottom.
Balagan thows a huge punch but Rock dodges it nicely.
Rock taking some punishment here, with Balagan in his half guard.
Balagan missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Balagan has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Balagan lands strikes from half guard.
Balagan lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Balagan lands a nice short elbow.
Balagan working the head and body with strikes.
Balagan prevents Rock from improving his position.
Balagan throws a strike but Rock avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Balagan won't allow Rock to sweep him here.
Balagan postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Balagan scoring with some ground and pound.
Rock preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Balagan pushing down on Rock's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Balagan is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Rock has managed to free his arm - good work.
Balagan looks to land a strike but Rock avoids it nicely and regains full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balagan postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Balagan trying to control the position from guard on top but Rock is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Balagan in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Balagan trying to control the position from guard on top but Rock is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Balagan postures up in Rock's guard and throws a big left but Rock blocks it.
Rock looking to hit a scissor sweep but Balagan is one step ahead there.
Balagan throws a big elbow that misses.
Balagan landing with the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Balagan accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balagan stopping the sweep attempt from Rock.
Rock keeping moving, preventing Balagan from controlling successfully.
Balagan throws an elbow that misses. Rock uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Balagan's guard. Nice move by Rock!

Rock trying to control the position from guard on top but Balagan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rock postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Rock is looking to work some ground and pound but Balagan has wrist control.
Rock sitting in guard here, content to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arkady Balagan dominated that second round.
That's time! Balagan's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

A combination from Rock does no damage.
Balagan motions for Rock to come forward. Balagan throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.

Balagan closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Rock's guard.
Balagan throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Balagan lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Rock looking for a sweep. Not yet Rock, not yet.
Balagan is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Balagan's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Balagan's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Balagan in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rock avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Rock lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Balagan has his hands on Rock's head, controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rock not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Rock wants to control from the top but Balagan keeps moving.
Rock postures up in Balagan's guard and throws a big left but Balagan blocks it.
Balagan working a defensive guard here.
Balagan trying to control the position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Rock stopping the sweep attempt from Balagan.
Balagan controlling the position.
Rock controls from within his opponent's guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Rock connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Nice sprawl there from Rock as Balagan shoots in.
Rock misses with a two punch combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rock misses with a wild body shot.
Balagan closes the distance and clinches up with Rock, looking for a takedown. Balagan pushes Rock against the cage but Rock circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Balagan goes for a double leg but Rock avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Rock continues to drive forward.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Arkady Balagan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rock lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Balagan circles away quickly and effectively.
Rock connects with a jab.
Rock jabs at Balagan's body.
Rock stuffs the takedown.
Balagan has a takedown stuffed.
Rock throws a hook but Balagan avoids it easily.
A punch combination from Rock misses.
Balagan checks the leg kick.

Balagan gets the takedown into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
An elbow from Balagan crashes against the mat.
Rock tries to get back to half guard but can't.
You can see the frustration on Rock's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Arkady Balagan is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rock tries to bench press Balagan off him but Balagan keeps the position.
Balagan landing strikes.
Abu Rock has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Balagan creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Rock on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Balagan working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Balagan landing a few strikes.
Balagan scoring with punches and elbows.
Balagan working the head and body with strikes.

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 Arkady Balagan.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Balagan, 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 Jonathan Paton scores the fight 30:27
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 30:27
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Arkady Balagan!
Arkady Balagan thanked the fans post fight for their support.