PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Garegin Balayan (ranked 187 p4p, 27 weight class) and Jackson Spinks (ranked 964 p4p, 113 weight class). Balayan comes to the cage accompanied by Troika. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Balayan
vs
Spinks

180 cm
27
176 lbs
15 - 5 - 0

190 cm
26
175 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Red Belt
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Sin City Allstars

Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Garegin Balayan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jackson Spinks!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Chad Campbell and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
An inside leg kick from Balayan misses.
Spinks misses with a wild body shot.
Balayan fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Spinks is out of range.
Balayan swings for the body but Spinks moves out of range.
Balayan misses with an uppercut. Spinks saw that one coming.
Spinks goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

Balayan instigates a clinch.
Balayan lands a body punch.
Spinks struggles to land a body shot inside as Balayan controls his hands.
Spinks fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Balayan presses Spinks against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Balayan lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Spinks tries to pull guard but Balayan won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Balayan goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Spinks misses with a body punch.
Balayan lands a shoulder strike.
Spinks blocks an uppercut.

Spinks manages to pull guard.
Balayan forces his way into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balayan stalling.
Balayan prevents Spinks from improving his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Balayan slows the pace down in half guard.
Balayan trying to pass the guard but Spinks defending well.

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.

Balayan wants to work for an arm triangle but Spinks is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Balayan is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Balayan wants to free his trapped foot but Spinks is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Balayan controlling the action here.
Spinks tries to roll over but Balayan keeps him under control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balayan with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Spinks wants to improve his position but Balayan is controlling well.
Balayan controlling the action here.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Spinks takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Spinks connects with a body shot.
Spinks throws a right and a left that Balayan avoids nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balayan connects with a nice looking jab.
Spinks goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Balayan looks to land a body kick but Spinks moved away.
Spinks tries to work over Balayan's front leg with a kick but Balayan checks it.
Spinks lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Spinks keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Spinks lands a nice looking kick to the body. Balayan takes a step back to recover.
Spinks lands with a straight right. Balayan didn't see that one coming.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Balayan stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Spinks.
Balayan ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Spinks moves away.
Spinks bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Balayan connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Jab by Spinks.
Garegin Balayan is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Spinks throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Jackson Spinks seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Balayan connects with a good right hand that stumbles Spinks. Spinks circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Balayan misses with a straight left.
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 Garegin Balayan will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Balayan throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Balayan is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
Balayan looks to score with a jab to the body but Spinks is just out of range.
Balayan waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Spinks.
Spinks attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Balayan works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Spinks throws a jab but it's blocked by Balayan.
A little feinted left hand from Balayan on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Donk. Spinks catches Balayan right on the button with a cross.
Balayan takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Balayan fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Spinks on the side of the head.
Balayan slips under a jab.
A chopping leg kick lands by Spinks.
Spinks fakes the leg kick and cracks Balayan in the body.
Spinks throws the kick towards the body but Balayan avoids it.
Balayan fails in his attempt to clinch.
Balayan connects with a leg kick. Spinks looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Balayan swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Spinks throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spinks lands a slapping body shot.
Balayan misses with a hook.
Balayan looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Spinks lands with a right hand.
Jackson Spinks seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Spinks misses with a head kick.
Spinks has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Balayan swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Balayan tries to score with a low kick but Spinks moves his leg out of the way.
Spinks throws a body shot but no joy.
Balayan throws a hook but Spinks blocks it.
Balayan lands with a kick to the ribs.
Balayan throws a hook to the side of Spinks's head but Spinks sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Balayan throws a hook but Spinks blocks it.
Spinks keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
And Spinks responds with a good body kick, but Balayan manages to step out the way in time.
Spinks walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Balayan checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Balayan throws a body kick that misses.
Spinks shoots for a takedown but Balayan saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Spinks tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Balayan was well out of range. Poor timing from Spinks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spinks throws a jab but it's blocked by Balayan.
Balayan takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Spinks takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Balayan takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Spinks looks for the body kick but Balayan saw that one coming.
Spinks throws a low kick but it's checked well by Balayan.
Balayan looks to land a left hand but Spinks moved out of range nicely.
Spinks misses with a low kick.
Spinks throws a body kick that misses.
Spinks steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Balayan.
Spinks takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Balayan. Spinks does a little dance to reset his feet.
Spinks misses the shot to the body.
Spinks fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Balayan manages to avoid it.
Spinks uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Balayan.
Spinks checks a low kick from Balayan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balayan avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Spinks is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Spinks misses with a body shot.
Balayan fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Spinks manages to avoid it.
Spinks ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Balayan moves away.
Balayan half committed to a counter leg kick.
Balayan thumps Spinks with a low kick.
Spinks wants to clinch up but Balayan keeps it at a distance.
Spinks misses with a body shot
and Balayan makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Spinks really felt that one!
A slow jab from Balayan misses its intended target.
Spinks pivots, looking for a leg kick but Balayan is out of range and Spinks settles back down.
Spinks throws a body kick that misses.
Balayan changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Spinks. Balayan does a little dance to reset his feet.
Balayan avoids a kick to the body.
A counter left hand to the body from Balayan misses its target.
Balayan checks a leg kick.
Spinks delivers a nice body kick.
Balayan is looking to chop away at Spinks's legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spinks throws out a powerful jab.
Spinks blocks a leg kick.
Spinks connects with a leg kick. Balayan looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Balayan throws a body punch but Spinks moves out of range.
Balayan throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Balayan buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Good work by Balayan as he checks the leg kick.
Spinks throws a leg kick but Balayan sees it coming and moves out of range.
Spinks scores with a kick to the body.
Spinks fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Balayan manages to avoid it.
Spinks looks to land a body kick but Balayan moved away.
It looked like Balayan was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Spinks.
Balayan keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Balayan swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Balayan scores with a leg kick.

Spinks has closed the distance and engaged Balayan in a clinch.
Spinks blocking some punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Garegin Balayan will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Spinks pivots, looking for a leg kick but Balayan is out of range and Spinks settles back down.
Balayan looks for the body kick but Spinks saw that one coming.
That kick from Balayan tenderised Spinks's leg. Spinks is trying to keep his angry face on.
Spinks blocks a jab.
Spinks is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Balayan rather than just go for the knockout.
Balayan uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Spinks.
Spinks lands a leg kick that knocks Balayan off balance momentarily.
Spinks fails with a takedown attempt.
Nice body punch from Balayan.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Spinks misses with a body kick.
Spinks drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Balayan slips a straight right by Spinks.
Spinks defending well as Balayan loads up on a big left hand.
Balayan ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spinks blocks the body kick.
Spinks moves out of range of the strikes.
Spinks lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Balayan circles away quickly and effectively.
Spinks throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Spinks misses with a wild body shot.
Balayan with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Spinks avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Balayan blocks the body kick.
Balayan throws a low kick but Spinks avoids it.
Spinks looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Spinks ducks right into an uppercut from Balayan.
Spinks slips under a jab from Balayan.
Spinks moves out of range of the body kick.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Balayan, as that shot connected.
Balayan lands with a nice body punch.
Spinks tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Balayan manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Balayan misses with a body kick.
Jackson Spinks has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balayan lands an overhand right.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Balayan.
Spinks misses with a series of wild punches.
Balayan lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Balayan stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Danga de danga de dang - Spinks scores with a four punch combination!
Balayan takes a swing at Spinks's ribcage but misses.
Spinks feints a counter leg kick.
A clash of legs there as Spinks blocks the low kick.
Balayan misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Spinks.
Spinks misses with an attempted mid kick.
Spinks throws a body kick that misses.
Balayan keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Spinks.
Balayan tries a head kick but it misses.
Balayan throws a hook to the side of Spinks's head but Spinks sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spinks connects with a leg kick. Balayan looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Spinks lets loose with a powerful body kick. Balayan will feel that in the morning.
Spinks shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Balayan swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Spinks defending well as Balayan loads up on a big left hand.
Spinks moves away from the strike by Balayan.
Spinks tries for a takedown but Balayan circles away easily
and Balayan cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Spinks keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A slow jab from Balayan misses its intended target.
Spinks lands with a hook. Balayan tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
A telegraphed right hand from Balayan misses the target.
Balayan goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
A chopping leg kick lands by Spinks.
Spinks fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Balayan manages to avoid it.
Balayan feinted there with a counter leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Balayan.
Balayan throws out a powerful jab.
Balayan throws a jab when Spinks was well out of range.
Spinks lets loose with a powerful body kick. Balayan will feel that in the morning.
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!
Balayan throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Spinks stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Spinks punishes Balayan's body with a nice straight punch.
Spinks lands with a shot to the body.
Balayan throws a push kick but Spinks slaps the foot to one side.
Balayan throws a big shot that misses.
Balayan throws a hook but Spinks blocks it.
A thudding body kick lands there by Spinks!
Balayan moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Balayan feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Spinkss jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
A big right from Spinks misses.
That kick from Balayan tenderised Spinks's leg. Spinks is trying to keep his angry face on.

And that's the end of the fight!
Garegin Balayan showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Balayan has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Anthony Taglia scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 30:27
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Garegin Balayan!
Garegin Balayan seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.