PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Cole Norton (ranked 7641 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rick Balboa (ranked 7521 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Rick Balboa was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Norton
vs
Balboa

157 cm
18
278 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

200 cm
20
250 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Cole Norton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rick Balboa!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Stewart Dunkirk and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Norton throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Balboa was covering up waiting for the punch and Norton finishes the takedown easily into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Norton keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Balboa's head.
Norton might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Balboa is trying to keep Norton in close.
Norton's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Norton is pushing down on Balboa's leg trying to pass to half guard. Balboa is fighting to maintain full guard but Norton has managed to sneak the leg through.
Still in half guard, Norton seems content to control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Norton wants to free his trapped foot but Balboa is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Balboa looks winded!
Norton content to control rather than advance.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Norton is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Balboa has managed to free his arm - good work.
Norton throwing shots but Balboa is blocking nicely.
Norton throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Norton perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Norton landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Norton is controlling the pace.
Balboa tries to get to full guard but Norton has control of the leg.
Norton is figuring out what he wants to do next.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Balboa wants to get back to full guard.
Norton perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

Norton stands up and beckons Balboa to join him on the feet.

Norton feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Balboa being controlled here, momentarily.

Balboa is working an open guard so Norton takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Norton moves into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Norton managing to block the knees to the body from Balboa.
Norton has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Balboa is trying to break free.
Balboa tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Norton drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Balboa gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Norton can't get the takedown.
Balboa jumps guard but Norton turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Norton changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Balboa fights it off and pushes away nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cole Norton. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Norton shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Norton showed some decent athleticism there.
Norton could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Norton content to control rather than advance.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Balboa is trying to get back to full guard.
Norton is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cole Norton dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Norton tries a head kick but it misses.
Norton shoots in looking for a takedown. Balboa tries to sprawl out of it but Norton keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Balboa manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Balboa cracks a nice hook into Norton's ribs.
Balboa shoots in looking for a takedown. Norton tries to sprawl out of it but Balboa keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Norton manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Norton seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Norton is trying hard to land a takedown here. Balboa sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Balboa lands a right hook to the body.
Balboa is breathing heavily.

Balboa feints and as Norton raises his hands in defense, Balboa changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Norton wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Balboa would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Cole Norton overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Norton is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Norton looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Norton is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Norton looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Balboa wants to control from the top but Norton keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balboa seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Norton pulls Balboa in to control the position.
Norton wants to sweep but no luck.
Balboa trying to control the position from guard on top but Norton is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Norton is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Norton fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cole Norton. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Norton shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Balboa's guard.
Balboa pulls Norton in close to prevent any damage.
Norton content to stall in guard here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Balboa is trying to keep Norton in close.
Norton postures up in Balboa's guard and throws a big left but Balboa blocks it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Balboa utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Norton is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Rick Balboa will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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!

Balboa closes the distance looking to clinch
letting Norton counter with a right hand.
Norton lands a body shot.
Norton stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Norton wants it to stay on the feet.
Cole Norton is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Norton is defended easily by Balboa.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Norton shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Norton was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Balboa takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Balboa is letting Norton control him for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Norton decides to stand up, so the ref orders Balboa to his feet.

Norton has taken the fight to the clinch.
Norton misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Balboa tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Norton wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Norton is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Balboa gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Nice body punch from Norton.
Norton keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Balboa's efforts to push away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balboa is trying to push Norton away but Norton has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Norton misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Balboa.
Norton tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cole Norton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Norton using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

Norton turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Norton content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Norton has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balboa taking punishment in the form of punches.
A lull in the action here as Norton stalls from top position.
Norton lands some shots froms side control.
Balboa is looking to regain half guard here but Norton keeps moving and retains side control.
Norton controls the position.
Balboa is trying to get back to half guard.
Balboa taking a bit of punishment here - Norton scoring with strikes.
Norton is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Balboa can do to turn this around?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Norton is staying tight to Balboa's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Norton's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Norton prevents Balboa from escaping the position.

Norton decides to stand back up. Norton steps back and let's Balboa get back to his feet.
Norton misses with a takedown attempt - Balboa sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Balboa shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Norton defends it nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cole Norton showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Norton has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cole Norton!