PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Diego Balboa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steve Chester (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Diego Balboa has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Balboa
vs
Chester

182 cm
26
205 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

188 cm
26
215 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Diego Balboa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Steve Chester!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Jonathan Paton and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Chester throws a head kick that misses.
Balboa throws a series of punches but Chester avoids them all with ease.
Balboa scores with a three punch combo!
Chester defending well as Balboa loads up on a big left hand.
Balboa misses with the combination.

Chester shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Balboa manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Chester prevents Balboa from getting back to his feet.

Chester stands up and waves to Balboa to follow him.
Chester doesn't manage to clinch there - Balboa circles away.
Balboa appears to be looking for a big counter.
Balboa lands a two punch combo.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Chester has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Chester wants to clinch.
Chester fakes the leg kick and cracks Balboa in the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chester lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Chester throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Balboa swinging wildly here.
Balboa slips a straight right by Chester.
Balboa throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Balboa throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Chester.

Chester shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Balboa is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Chester is controlling him.
Chester loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Chester won't allow Balboa to get back to his feet.
Chester stands up over Balboa, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Chester 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chester wants to control from the top but Balboa keeps moving.

Balboa wriggles free and stands up.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Balboa throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Balboa misses with a wild combination.
Chester throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Balboa throws a combination that misses
and Chester counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Balboa is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Balboa looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
That kick from Chester tenderised Balboa's leg. Balboa is trying to keep his angry face on.
Chester tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Balboa was well out of range. Poor timing from Chester.
As Chester looks to move away, Balboa throws a big counter combo but Chester just gets out of the way.

Chester forces Balboa back against the cage and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Chester takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Balboa wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Chester misses with a hook to the ribs.
Chester has Balboa pushed against the cage.

Chester's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Chester clinches up with Balboa and pushes him back against the cage.
Balboa gets underhooks to prevent Chester's takedown attempt.
Chester tries to throw a body punch but Balboa avoids it by throwing Chester back against the cage.
Balboa wants to get back to striking at distance but Chester won't allow it.
Chester slowing the pace effectively.
Chester stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chester is looking for a takedown.
Chester pressing his opponent against the cage.
Balboa is trying to break free.
Balboa wants to get back to striking at distance but Chester won't allow it.

Chester pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Balboa misses with a wild combination.

Chester closes the distance and pushes Balboa back into the cage.
Balboa is trying to break the clinch but Chester has him pressed against the cage.

Chester manages to break the clinch.
A punch combination from Balboa misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Diego Balboa will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Balboa misses with a series of wild punches.
No joy there for Balboa, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Chester looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Chester looks to land a right hand but Balboa moved out of range.
Balboa throws a series of punches but Chester avoids them all with ease.
Balboa fails to land with a series of punches.
Balboa throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Chester counters with a stiff right hand.
Diego Balboa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Balboa thuds his right hand into Chester's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Chester lands a two punch combo.

It looks like Diego Balboa has been cut.
Chester slips a jab and a cross from Balboa.
Chester misses with a takedown attempt - Balboa sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
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!
Balboa tries to bum rush Chester with a series of wild strikes but Chester uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Chester takes a swing at Balboa's ribcage but misses.
Balboa throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Chester counters with a left and a right that stings Balboa.
Balboa circles away from the clinch attempt.
Balboa misses with a double jab.
Chester lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chester tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Balboa paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Balboa throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Diego Balboa is winning the standup battle so far.
Balboa avoids a kick to the body.
Chester lands a jab.
Chester shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Balboa as he avoids it easily.
Balboa showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Chester.
Balboa throws a right hand that Chester ducks under and follows up with a left that Chester also avoids with ease.
Decent striking displayed by Chester there.
Balboa takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Chester goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Diego Balboa is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Chester tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Chester misses with a body kick.
As Chester looks to move away, Balboa throws a big counter combo but Chester just gets out of the way.
Chester looks to land a combination but Balboa avoids it well.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Balboa lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Chester circles away quickly and effectively.
Balboa swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Balboa. Those never looked like landing.
Chester rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Balboa moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Balboa throws a right hand that Chester ducks under and follows up with a left that Chester also avoids with ease.
Sloppy strikes from Balboa. Those never looked like landing.
Chester throws a fast counter high kick but Balboa manages to duck under it in time.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Balboa throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Chester! But no joy.

Chester rushes Balboa and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Chester has Balboa pressed against the cage.
Chester is struggling to control the position.
The crowd are getting on Chester's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
Chester goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Chester breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Chester shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Balboa manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Chester throwing strikes but missing.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chester trying to control but Balboa is working from the bottom.

Chester stands and steps away. Balboa gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Chester fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Balboa.
Chester is looking to clinch.
Balboa swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Diego Balboa is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Balboa throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Chester counters with a left and a right that stings Balboa.
A head kick misses from Chester.
Balboa slips a jab and a cross from Chester.
Chester thuds his shin into the meat of Balboa's side.
Sloppy strikes from Balboa. Those never looked like landing.
Chester throws a sloppy head kick and Balboa moves out of range easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Chester with that takedown attempt.
Diego Balboa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steve Chester.
Chester throws a body punch but Balboa moves out of range.

Chester gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Balboa can't break the clinch.

Balboa breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Balboa misses with the combination.
Balboa takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
No joy there for Balboa, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Chester throws a solid leg kick but Balboa takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Chester.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Balboa throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Chester counters with a straight right hand.
Chester takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Chester scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Balboa lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Chester circles away quickly and effectively.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Chester showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Diego Balboa's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Chester throws a nice head kick!
Balboa stuffs the takedown.
Balboa misses with a few strikes there.
Chester throws a sloppy head kick and Balboa moves out of range easily.
Balboa throws a left and a right that both miss
and Chester counters with an inside leg kick.
Balboa misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Chester tries to close the distance and clinch up but Balboa swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Chester tries to bum rush Balboa with a series of wild strikes but Balboa uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Balboa avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Balboa is looking for a counter combo.
Balboa misses with a jab, cross combination.
Balboa misses with a few strikes there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Balboa blocks a leg kick.
Chester is looking to chop away at Balboa's legs.
Balboa tries to bum rush Chester with a series of wild strikes but Chester uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A punch combination from Balboa misses.
Balboa tries to bum rush Chester with a series of wild strikes but Chester uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Chester fails to land with a series of punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balboa steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Chester.

Chester shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Chester stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Balboa to get to his feet.
Balboa will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Balboa stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Chester.
Chester is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Chester, right into the meat.
Chester lands with a nice combination. Balboa backs away looking to recover.

Diego Balboa's cut is getting worse.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balboa throws a combination that misses

and Chester holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Balboa looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Balboa tries to break free but Chester pushes him back against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Balboa's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Balboa wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Chester has him pressed against the cage.
Stalling in the clinch from Chester.
Chester has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Balboa avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Chester lands a shot to the body.
Balboa has had enough of the clinch but Chester keeps him there for the moment.

Chester breaks from the clinch.
Chester dodges the punch combination from Balboa.
Chester goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A jab lands there for Balboa.
Chester misses with a head kick.
Chester looks to land a body kick but Balboa moved away.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Chester.
Balboa has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Chester.
Balboa throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Chester.
Chester lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Chester throws a head kick that Balboa semi-blocks.
Balboa catches Chester with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Balboa moves forwards but Chester connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Balboa looks to land a combination. Chester sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Balboa looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
As Balboa backs off Chester throws a huge counter combo but Balboa manages to avoid it all.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A punch combination from Chester misses.
Balboa is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Balboa takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Chester throws a sloppy head kick and Balboa moves out of range easily.

Chester gets a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balboa is trying to break the clinch but Chester is controlling him.

Chester manages to break the clinch.
Some bone on bone action there as Balboa checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Chester doesn't manage to clinch there - Balboa circles away.
Balboa misses with a two punch combination.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Chester.
Diego Balboa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steve Chester.
Balboa connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

Chester has managed to clinch.
Chester goes for a takedown attempt but Balboa pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Chester dodges the punch combination from Balboa.
Balboa throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Chester.

And that's the end of the fight!
Steve Chester comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Chester has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Steve Montenegro scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 28:29
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Steve Chester!
An out of breath Steve Chester thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.