PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rickie Hamilton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Finn Balor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rickie Hamilton has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Hamilton
vs
Balor

197 cm
18
278 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

185 cm
20
220 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Inexperienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the 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, Rickie Hamilton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Finn Balor!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Paul Tew and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hamilton throws a nice looking combination but Balor bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Hamilton misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Hamilton changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Balor tries to avoid it but Hamilton manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Balor to the ground. Balor escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Balor moves into the clinch.

Balor manages to pull guard.
Hamilton throws a big elbow that misses.
Balor is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Hamilton is controlling him.
Balor avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hamilton throws a strike but Balor rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Balor forces his way into half guard.
Balor is taking a breather. Hamilton says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balor missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Hamilton is looking to improve his position.
Balor is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Balor uses his free foot to push down on Hamilton's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Hamilton.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Balor controlling the position easily from mount.
Balor punishing his opponent with strikes.
Hamilton tries to lock up and control but Balor gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Balor breaks from Hamilton's wrist control and lands an elbow.

It looks like Rickie Hamilton has been cut.
Balor is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Balor can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Hamilton is looking to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balor is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Hamilton can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

Rickie Hamilton's cut is getting worse.
Hamilton is in all sorts of trouble here.
Balor wants to control the pace but Hamilton is squirming around nicely.
Hamilton keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Balor controlling from mount.
Let's hope that Balor has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Hamilton could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hamilton is looking to improve his position but Balor isn't that keen on the idea.

Balor is working close to his opponent, looking to work a submission by the looks of things. Oh, he's managed to get a guillotine from mount as his opponent reached up! That looks tiiiiight! Will he tap? YES, he's tapped! Impressive submission by Balor!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:44 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Finn Balor!