PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Paul OConnell (ranked 3291 p4p, 105 weight class) and Baltasar Halko (ranked 3592 p4p, 117 weight class). Halko has chosen The Lumberjack by Jackyl as his entrance music. Paul OConnell has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

OConnell
vs
Halko

209 cm
34
285 lbs
17 - 9 - 0

150 cm
38
300 lbs
16 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

RAGS of a RONIN

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Paul OConnell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Baltasar Halko!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Halko will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
OConnell throws a right hand that Halko ducks under and follows up with a left that Halko also avoids with ease.
A looping hook to the body misses from Halko. OConnell does a little dance to reset his feet.
Halko misses with a jab, cross combination.
OConnell misses with a head kick.
Halko misses with a body shot.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Halko has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Halko moves forwards but OConnell connects with a nice, crisp jab.

It looks like Baltasar Halko has been cut.
Halko with a poor takedown
and OConnell counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Halko misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Halko shoots for a double leg takedown but OConnell sprawls well. He's pushed Halko's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Halko falls off balance throwing a combination
and OConnell connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Halko is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in OConnell's half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
OConnell is trying to stand back up but Halko is controlling him
Halko wants to pass to mount but OConnell is defending the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
OConnell wants to get back to his feet.

Halko is looking for a kimura here.
Halko missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
OConnell is looking to escape.
Halko missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

OConnell makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
OConnell is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
OConnell scores with a nice head shot.
Jab by OConnell.
Paul OConnell is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Halko misses with a takedown attempt
and OConnell counters with a leg kick.
Paul OConnell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Baltasar Halko.
OConnell digs a good body shot into Halko's ribs.
OConnell scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
OConnell lands with a hook. Halko tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
OConnell darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Halko is wiping some vaseline out of his eye. OConnell doesn't give a rats ass about fair play and cracks him with a massive hook to the side of the head! Halko crumples to the floor out cold! The cornerman is going to be in Halko's bad books for that mishap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:27 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Paul OConnell!
Paul OConnell decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.