PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Josh Miller (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Balfour Darrow (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Balfour Darrow has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Miller
vs
Darrow

170 cm
28
140 lbs
14 - 14 - 1

166 cm
29
138 lbs
12 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Revolution Clothing

Revolution Clothing
Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 14 - 1, fighting out of New York, Josh Miller!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Balfour Darrow!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, Steve Montenegro and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Darrow throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Crunch! Darrow slams his shin into Miller's torso.
A punch combination from Darrow misses.
A quick step to the side and Miller tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Darrow scores with a jab to the jaw.
Some wild striking there from Miller.
Darrow is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
The fighters circling - Miller throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Darrow! But no joy.
Darrow swats away the attempt to clinch by Miller.
A slow jab from Miller misses its intended target.
Miller misses with a jab, cross combination.
Miller with a hook.
Miller throws a combination that misses

and Darrow holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Darrow fails to land.
Miller taking a breather.
A nice left hand lands by Darrow.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Miller pressing his opponent against the cage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Miller swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Darrow has a couple of punches blocked by Miller.
Darrow lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Miller backwards.
Miller can't find room to land a body shot as Darrow controls the action.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Darrow creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Miller blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Miller lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Miller blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A short right from Darrow on the inside.
Darrow misses with a short punch on the inside.
Darrow lands a hook to the side of the head.
Darrow swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Darrow has a couple of punches blocked by Miller.
Darrow dodges an elbow strike from Miller.
I was talking to Miller's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Darrow lands a hook to the side of the head.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Miller just misses with a elbow thrown towards Darrow's brow.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Miller prevents a body shot from Darrow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Darrow working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Darrow lands a right hand.
Darrow misses with a punch on the inside.
Darrow displaying some good clinch control by pressing Miller up against the cage.
Darrow holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Darrow misses with a punch on the inside.
A nice right hand lands inside from Darrow.
Darrow lands a shot to the body.
Miller is pressed up against the cage. Darrow has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Miller down to the mat. Miller avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Darrow uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Miller throws a body kick that misses.
Miller fails to land with a series of punches.
Miller looks to land a combination. Darrow sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Miller misses with a hook.
Miller closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Darrow throws a body shot but no joy.
Miller is looking for a counter combo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Miller lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Darrow misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Darrow scores with a nice right hand.
A nice combination there by Miller.
Miller blocks a low kick nicely.
Some wild striking there from Miller.
Darrow steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Miller.
Miller walks into a stiff left hand from Darrow.
Miller will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Darrow throws a right and a left that both miss.
Miller throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Darrow.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Some wild striking there from Darrow.
Darrow fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Miller is out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Miller swings widly with a right hand
and Darrow counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Miller moves into the clinch successfully.
Miller misses with some punches.
Miller pushes Darrow back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Miller trying to control the position but instead, Darrow has worked for underhooks and has pushed Miller into the cage.
Miller blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Darrow lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Miller blocking some punches.
Miller fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A shot in the inside from Miller.
Darrow swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A bit of stalling here from Miller.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Darrow lands with a right to the head.
Darrow misses with a short punch on the inside.
Miller trying to land knees to the body.
Darrow swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Miller can't find room to land a body shot as Darrow controls the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Miller moves out of range as Darrow strikes.
Miller doesn't manage to clinch there - Darrow circles away.
Darrow swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Miller jabs at Darrow's body.
Darrow misses with a straight left.
Darrow fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Miller walks into a straight right hand from Darrow.
Miller misses with the combination.
Miller tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
The crowd cheers as Darrow lands an impressive looking overhand right. Miller doesn't seem phased though.
Miller tries to clinch but Darrow moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Good exchange - Miller coming out on top.
Darrow lands with a hook. Miller tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Darrow keeps the fight on the outside.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Darrow sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Miller closes the distance and lands a one-two.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Miller looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Darrow plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

Miller is rocked!
Miller loads up on a big right hand but Darrow slips the punch.
Darrow tries to counter by closing the distance.
Oh Miller is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Miller works Darrow's body with a nice hook.
Miller seems to have got his legs back now.
Darrow slips a jab and a cross from Miller.
Darrow throws a sloppy head kick and Miller moves out of range easily.
Miller throws a body shot but no joy.
Miller tries to close the distance and clinch up but Darrow swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Darrow tries to counter with a clinch but Miller shakes him off and moves away.
Darrow ducks under a wild hook from Miller.
Darrow lands a head kick!
Miller throws a series of punches but Darrow moves out of range.
Miller throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Darrow.
Miller getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Miller throws a one two combo.
Darrow throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Miller slips a jab from Darrow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Miller throws a hook but Darrow blocks it.
Darrow connects with a jab.
Darrow blocks the body kick.
A slapping leg kick lands for Darrow.
A head kick from Darrow lands but Miller takes it in his stride.
Darrow pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Jab from Darrow.
Darrow lands with a hook. Miller tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Miller throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Darrow throws a quick inside leg kick.
Darrow dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Miller. That did some damage!
Darrow takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Darrow moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Miller blocks the body kick.
Josh Miller is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Darrow lands with a nice body kick.
Darrow throws a sloppy head kick and Miller moves out of range easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Darrow slips a jab and a cross from Miller.
Darrow throws a hook to the side of Miller's head but Miller sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Darrow throws a hook to the side of Miller's head but Miller sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Darrow showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Miller.
Miller is looking to clinch.
Darrow throws a body punch but Miller moves out of range.
Miller looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Darrow lands a really nice looking cross but Miller seems unphased.
Darrow dodges the punch combination from Miller.
Darrow moves out of range of the strikes.
Darrow dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Darrow uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Miller.
Miller cracks Darrow with an open hand slap.
Balfour Darrow seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A cross from Darrow lands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Darrow throws a quick inside leg kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Darrow fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Miller fails with an attempt to clinch.
Miller takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

Miller closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Miller will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Darrow up against the cage.
Darrow lands a shoulder strike.
Darrow struggles to land a body shot inside as Miller controls his hands.
Miller stalls.
Darrow lands a shoulder strike.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Darrow tries to work over Miller's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Darrow stalling in the clinch but Miller improves position.
Darrow lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A hook to the body from Darrow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Balfour Darrow showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Darrow cracks Miller with a right hand to the side of the head.
Miller pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Darrow tries to counter by closing the distance.
Miller throws an overhand right that lands on Darrow's shoulder, as Darrow tries to avoid the shot.
No joy there for Miller, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Darrow moves out of range as Miller strikes.
A big right from Darrow misses.
Miller is looking to counter with a body kick.
Miller moves out of range of the body kick from Darrow.
Darrow with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Miller to score with a decent uppercut.

Miller moves into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A nice right hand lands inside from Darrow.
A short body shot lands from Miller as the two fighters clinch.
Darrow prevents a body shot from Miller.
Darrow blocks a body shot from Miller.
Darrow lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Miller or not.
Miller looks to throw an elbow but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Miller taking a breather.
Darrow tries to work over Miller's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Miller.
Darrow blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Darrow fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Miller misses with a short punch on the inside.
Darrow swings wildly with an uppercut but Miller uses good head movement to avoid it.
Balfour Darrow seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Darrow lands a hook to the side of the head.
Miller misses with a punch on the inside.
Miller trying to stall but Darrow improves his position.
Darrow misses with a hook to the ribs.
Miller misses with a punch to the body.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Miller takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Miller digs a right hand underneath Darrow's ribcage. Darrow let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Miller manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Darrow scores with a nice hook to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Miller is looking to control Darrow's arms but Darrow gets an underhook and turns him. Now Miller has his back to the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Darrow.
Miller stalling in the clinch but Darrow improves position.
Miller cracks Darrow with a nice body shot.
Miller gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Miller lands a body shot in the clinch.
Darrow blocks the elbow strike.
Miller lands a left hand that snaps the head of Darrow backwards.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
A right hook to the body lands for Darrow.
Miller working aggressively here.
Miller taking a breather.
Darrow avoids a wild elbow strike from Miller.
Darrow misses with a body punch.
Miller blocking some punches.
Miller is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Miller.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Miller is looking to control Darrow's arms but Darrow gets an underhook and turns him. Now Miller has his back to the cage.
Miller takes a shot to the head.
Darrow throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Millers head.
Darrow changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Miller fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Darrow thuds a left hand into Miller's body.
Darrow feints and then cracks Miller's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Miller down.

Miller shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Darrow won't allow Miller to pass to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Miller looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Miller trying to control from Darrow's half guard. Darrow has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Miller trying to control the position from guard on top but Darrow is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Darrow is trying to control the position but Miller postures up.
Miller trying to control but Darrow is working from the bottom.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Darrow looking to hit a scissor sweep but Miller is one step ahead there.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Josh Miller did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Miller throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Darrow misses with a body shot.
Miller went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
A nice combination there by Miller.
A thudding body kick lands there by Darrow!
Miller lands a glancing blow to the side of Darrow's head.
Miller tries to clinch but Darrow moves out of range.
Darrow connects with an inside leg kick.
Miller throws a shot from downtown. Darrow moves away and avoids it.
Darrow tries to counter by closing the distance.
Miller tries to bum rush Darrow with a series of wild strikes but Darrow uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Darrow blocks a jab.
Miller fails with an attempt to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Darrow lands a nice hook to Miller's body. Miller takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Miller wants to land a leg kick but Darrow is out of range.
Darrow misses with a jab, cross combination.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Miller fails to land with a series of punches.
Darrow tries to counter with a clinch but Miller shakes him off and moves away.
Miller throws a jab when Darrow was well out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A chopping leg kick lands by Darrow.
Miller misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Darrow.
A countering left hand to the body from Darrow misses.
Miller is looking to land body kicks.
Miller pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Darrow throws a half hearted mid kick.
Miller throws a sloppy head kick and Darrow moves out of range easily.
Darrow wants to counter the offense by Miller and move into the clinch position.
Darrow looks for the body kick but Miller saw that one coming.
Darrow misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Miller counters with a stiff right hand.
Miller is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Darrow.
Darrow tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Miller has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Darrow finds it's way round the side to connect with Miller's head.
Darrow fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Miller.
Miller tries to bum rush Darrow with a series of wild strikes but Darrow uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Darrow throws out a loose jab but Miller uses good head movement to avoid it.
Miller feints a jab promting Darrow to slip. Miller then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Darrow slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Miller drops his hands momentarily and Darrow takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Darrow throws a hook but Miller blocks it.
Miller throws a nice looking combination but Darrow bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Darrow looks to land a right hand but Miller moved out of range.
That kick from Darrow tenderised Miller's leg. Miller is trying to keep his angry face on.
Darrow keeps the fight on the outside.
Miller checks a leg kick nicely.
Miller is looking to counter punch.
Miller scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Darrow works Miller's body with a nice hook.
Darrow looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A jab from Darrow does it's job there.
Miller stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Darrow.
Darrow thuds his shin into the meat of Miller's side.
Darrow stuns Miller with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Darrow buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Darrow is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Miller throws a right hand that Darrow ducks under and follows up with a left that Darrow also avoids with ease.
Miller misses with a straight right.
Darrow misses with a hook.
Miller fails with an attempt to clinch.
Miller scores with a three punch combo!
Darrow connects with a good right hand that stumbles Miller. Miller circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Miller throws a shot from downtown. Darrow moves away and avoids it.
Darrow connects with a looping right hand.
Miller looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Darrow is fending him off so far but Miller persists. Nope, Darrow circles away and we're back to standing.
Miller throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Darrow lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Darrow throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Darrow with a nice cross.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Miller digs a good body shot into Darrow's ribs.
Darrow moves away from the strike by Miller.
Miller tries to clinch up.
Darrow slips a jab and a cross from Miller.
Darrow leaves Miller with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
A head kick misses from Miller.
Darrow fails with a takedown attempt.
It looked like Miller wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Miller misses with a looping left.
Miller throws a right hand that Darrow ducks under and follows up with a left that Darrow also avoids with ease.

Miller clinches up against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Come on Darrow - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Balfour Darrow will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Miller chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Darrow can pounce on him.
Miller looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Good exchange - Darrow coming out on top.
Miller misses with a wild combination.
Miller will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Darrow misses with a few strikes there.
Miller is looking to counter the offense by Darrow and move into the clinch.
Darrow takes one on the button.
Darrow tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Miller fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Darrow manages to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Darrow scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Miller doesn't seem bothered though.
Darrow misses with the combination.
Darrow lands an overhand right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Miller takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Miller throws a right hand that Darrow ducks under and follows up with a left that Darrow also avoids with ease.
Miller scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Darrow connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Darrow throws a half hearted mid kick.
Miller throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Darrow counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Miller throws a punch but it's blocked by Darrow.
A right handed body shot lands from Darrow.
A short body shot lands from Miller as the two fighters clinch.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Darrow.
Darrow lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Miller backwards.
Miller blocks a body shot from Darrow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A bit of stalling here from Darrow.
Darrow has Miller pressed against the cage.
Miller gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Still in the clinch, Darrow scores with a nice short uppercut.
Good body shot from Miller.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Miller blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Miller lands a right hand.
Miller is looking to control Darrow's arms but Darrow gets an underhook and turns him. Now Miller has his back to the cage.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Miller.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Darrow as Miller tries to tie him up.
Miller tries to stall but Darrow uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Josh Miller.
Miller cracks Darrow with a good jab.
Miller lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Darrow circles away quickly and effectively.
Miller tries to clinch up but Darrow circles away and keeps his distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Darrow uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Miller.
Darrow takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Darrow tries to clinch but Miller is having none of it.

Miller takes the fight into the clinch.
Good body shot from Darrow.
Darrow is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Miller is keeping busy.
Miller blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Darrow throws a head punch that misses.
Balfour Darrow is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
A short right from Darrow on the inside.
Darrow lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Darrow tries a body shot but Miller blocks it.
Miller fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Miller is stalling here.
Darrow throws a punch but it's blocked by Miller.
Miller looking to stall.
Darrow throws a head punch that misses.
Miller misses with a short punch on the inside.
Miller looking to slow down the pace here.
Darrow throws a head punch that misses.
Darrow on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Miller is looking to control Darrow's arms but Darrow gets an underhook and turns him. Now Miller has his back to the cage.
Darrow tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Miller's elbow.
Miller controlling the action here for a moment.
Josh Miller has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Miller manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
The crowd are getting pretty annoyed with Miller for his constant stalling in the clinch and are voicing their displeasure.

And that's the end of the fight!
Balfour Darrow comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Darrow has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 46:50
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 47:48
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 46:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Balfour Darrow!
Balfour Darrow is the new bantamweight champion!
A very excited looking Balfour Darrow made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.