PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Graham Van Leakenstien (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sean Balor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sean Balor acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Van Leakenstien
vs
Balor

180 cm
19
210 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

185 cm
19
200 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite 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 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Graham Van Leakenstien!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Sean Balor!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Sam Margolis and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Van Leakenstien gets tackled into the cage by Balor. Balor maintains the clinch.
Balor goes for a takedown in the clinch but Van Leakenstien prevents it.

Balor manages to break the clinch.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Van Leakenstien is defended easily by Balor.
Van Leakenstien tries to clinch up.
A nice side step and Balor releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.

Van Leakenstien rushes Balor and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Balor letting Van Leakenstien take a breather here.
We've been hearing reports that Van Leakenstien has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Balor tries to pull guard but Van Leakenstien won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Balor is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Van Leakenstien is defending well.
Graham Van Leakenstien has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sean Balor.

Balor jumps guard.
Van Leakenstien wants to control from the top but Balor keeps moving.
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.

Van Leakenstien stands up and waves to Balor to follow him.

Van Leakenstien closes the distance and clinches.
Van Leakenstien is trying to break the clinch but Balor is controlling him.

Van Leakenstien pulls guard successfully.
Van Leakenstien wants to stand up but Balor is controlling him.

Balor decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Van Leakenstien, up you get!
Balor shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Van Leakenstien working hard to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Van Leakenstien has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Balor uses from the top position.

Van Leakenstien is looking for a triangle here but Balor uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Van Leakenstien wants to get back to his feet but Balor drags him back down.
Balor controlling the position from side mount.
Balor advances nicely into full mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Leakenstien is trying to stand but he's just given Balor his back.
Balor lands with a hammerfist to the side of Van Leakenstien's head.

Balor is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Van Leakenstien knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Van Leakenstien for a finish.

Van Leakenstien won't enjoy being in this position. Balor looking for the choke. Oh... he's slipped the arm under the neck - Van Leakenstien is tapping - it's over boys! Balor picks up the submission victory!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Sean Balor!