PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Karl Denke (ranked 87 p4p, 12 weight class) and Garegin Balayan (ranked 140 p4p, 23 weight class). Balayan is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Troika. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Denke
vs
Balayan

175 cm
32
180 lbs
31 - 19 - 0

180 cm
28
171 lbs
19 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing
Sin City Allstars

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 31 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Karl Denke!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Garegin Balayan!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Elvis Blanc and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Denke moves out of range of the strikes.
Balayan connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
We've been informed that Balayan has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Balayan misses the body punch
and Denke cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Balayan fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Balayan throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Denke connects with a high kick.
Denke throws a sloppy body shot
and Balayan counters with a nice uppercut.
Denke steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Balayan. That one must have hurt.
Balayan feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Denke's calf.
Denke throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Denke throws a head kick but Balayan moves out of range.
Denke is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Denke avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Balayan lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Balayan scores with a punch to the head.
Balayan avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Denke looks to throw the jab but Balayan is out of range.
Balayan with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Denke dodges the punch combination from Balayan.
Denke appears to be looking for a big counter.
Denke takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Denke looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

Balayan moves into the clinch successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Denke prevents a body shot from Balayan.
Denke throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Balayan doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Denke controlling the action here for a moment.
Balayan lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Denke lands an elbow just above Balayan 's eye.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Denke lands a hook to the side of the head.
Balayan lands a right hand.
Denke lands an uppercut.
Balayan misses with a body punch.
Balayan wants to break free but Denke has control.
Denke tries to work over Balayan's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A nice left hand lands by Denke.
A right handed body shot lands from Balayan.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Balayan doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Balayan throws a punch but it's blocked by Denke.
Denke lands a nice elbow.
Denke stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Denke is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Denke throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Denke throws an elbow that misses.
Denke has Balayan pushed against the cage.
Denke misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Balayan tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Denke working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Balayan throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Denkes head.
Balayan softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Denke tries to work over Balayan's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Balayan.
Balayan misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Balayan doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Denke lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Balayan works on Denke's body with a couple of short punches.
Denke looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Denke lands a body shot in the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Balayan fails to land.
Balayan avoids the elbow strike from Denke, against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Denke misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Balayan misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Denke prevents Balayan from breaking the clinch.
A right hook to the body lands for Balayan.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Balayan.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A right hook to the body lands for Balayan.
Balayan tries to throw a body punch but Denke avoids it by throwing Balayan back against the cage.
Denke works on Balayan's body with a couple of short punches.
Balayan lands a right hand that snaps the head of Denke backwards.
A short right from Balayan.
Denke blocks a body shot from Balayan.
Denke misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A short right from Balayan on the inside.
Denke comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Denke tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Balayan's elbow.
Denke trying to control the position but instead, Balayan has worked for underhooks and has pushed Denke into the cage.
Denke tries a body shot but Balayan blocks it.
Balayan blocks a punch to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Garegin Balayan dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Denke keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Garegin Balayan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Denke avoids the body shot from Balayan.
A counter left hand to the body from Denke misses its target.
Garegin Balayan seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Denke falls off balance throwing a combination
and Balayan makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Denke really felt that one!
Balayan looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Balayan lands a lovely overhand right.
Balayan tests Denke's chin there with a solid looking shot.

Balayan has Denke up against the cage in a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Denke gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Balayan has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Denke lands a right hand that snaps the head of Balayan backwards.
Balayan avoids a wild elbow strike from Denke.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Denke goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Balayan.
Denke misses with a punch to the body.
Denke can't find room to land a body shot as Balayan controls the action.
Karl Denke has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Denke is struggling to control the position.
Denke blocking some punches.
Denke lands a body shot.
Balayan being controlled against the cage.
Denke working aggressively here.
Denke prevents a body shot from Balayan.
Balayan tries to throw a body punch but Denke avoids it by throwing Balayan back against the cage.
Balayan can't find room to land a body shot as Denke controls the action.
Balayan tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Denke's elbow.
Balayan gets through Denke's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Denke struggles to land a body shot inside as Balayan controls his hands.
Denke tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Balayan's elbow.
Denke works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Denke throws an elbow but it's blocked.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Denke scores with a shoulder strike.
Denke lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Denke creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Denke tries a body shot but Balayan blocks it.
Balayan misses with a body punch.

Balayan breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Balayan throws a head kick that Denke semi-blocks.
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 ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Denke moves away.
Balayan looks to score with a jab to the body but Denke is just out of range.
Denke on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Good leg kick by Balayan there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Denke uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Balayan.
A head kick misses from Balayan.
Denke on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balayan throws a big shot that misses.
Denke lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Good shot there by Balayan.
Balayan scores with the left hand. Denke knows he should have avoided that one.
Denke moves out of range of the body kick.
Balayan swings widly with a right hand
and Denke counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Denke moves out of range as Balayan strikes.
Balayan feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Denke's calf.
Balayan swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Denke.
Nice cross by Balayan.
Balayan feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Denke's calf.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balayan fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Denke has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Balayan lands with a nice body punch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Denke pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A big right from Balayan misses.
An attempted straight right counter from Denke misses the target.
Balayan misses with a body kick.
Balayan lands a nice leg kick that just misses Denke's sensitive parts.
Balayan dips to his left and cracks Denke with an uppercut!
A looping hook to the body misses from Balayan. Denke does a little dance to reset his feet.
Balayan scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Denke takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Denke slips under a jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Garegin Balayan showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Balayan lunges at Denke with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Denke's hand.

Balayan takes the fight into the clinch.
Denke prevents a body shot from Balayan.
Denke tries a body shot but Balayan blocks it.
Denke lands a nice shot to the body.
A short uppercut from Balayan.
Denke leaning against his opponent.
Denke misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Denke can't find room to land a body shot as Balayan controls the action.
Balayan tries a body shot but Denke blocks it.
Denke digs a right hand underneath Balayan's ribcage. Balayan let out a lung full of air as it connected.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Balayan misses with a punch to the body.
Balayan tries a body shot but Denke blocks it.
Balayan tries to break free but Denke pushes him back against the cage.
Denke blocks a body shot from Balayan.
Denke is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Balayan is keeping busy.
Denke struggles to land a body shot inside as Balayan controls his hands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balayan misses with a hook to the ribs.
Balayan misses with a body punch.
Denke misses with a hook to the ribs.
Balayan throws a punch but it's blocked by Denke.
Still in the clinch, Balayan scores with a nice short uppercut.
Denke doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Denke lands with a left to the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Denke.
Denke lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Balayan's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Balayan works on Denke's body with a couple of short punches.
Denke doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Denke throws an elbow that misses.
Balayan lands a knee to the body.
Denke avoids the elbow strike from Balayan, against the cage.
Denke doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Denke blocks a body shot from Balayan.
Denke misses with a hook to the ribs.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Balayan.
Denke is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balayan misses with a punch to the body.
Balayan can't find room to land a body shot as Denke controls the action.
Balayan lands with a right to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Balayan throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Denkes head.
Balayan throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Balayan lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Denke is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Balayan lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Denke looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Balayan doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Balayan lands with a short shot to the head.
Balayan lands a hook that snaps the head of Denke backwards.
Denke comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Balayan lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Balayan misses with the head strike.
Denke takes a shot to the head.
Balayan goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balayan cracks Denke with a nice body shot.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Balayan throws a head punch that misses.
Denke fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Nice body punch from Balayan.
A shot in the inside from Balayan.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Balayan.
Denke fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Balayan tries a body shot but Denke blocks it.
A short left from Balayan.
Denke misses with a punch to the body.
Balayan blocks an uppercut.
Denke prevents a body shot from Balayan.
Denke pushes off an throws an elbow but Balayan leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Balayan misses with a hook to the ribs.
Denke struggles to land a body shot inside as Balayan controls his hands.
Denke lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Balayan.
A left hand lands to the body for Balayan.
Denke scores with a shot to the side of Balayan's head.

Balayan pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balayan throws a good cross that connects.
A decent looking cross lands there for Balayan.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Balayan catches Denke with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

Denke is rocked!
Balayan will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Denke takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Denke misses with a looping left.
Balayan dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Balayan misses with a body punch
and Denke counters with a head kick. That will keep Balayan thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Balayan throws a low kick but Denke moves out of range easily.
Balayan thumps Denke with a low kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Garegin Balayan really dominated that round.
That's time! Denke's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Balayan looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Balayan tries to clinch but Denke moves out of range.
Denke seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Balayan pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Balayan misses with a low kick.
Balayan lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Denke tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Balayan smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Balayan throws a right hand that misses
enabling Denke to counter with a crisp jab.
Denke takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Karl Denke is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Balayan changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Denke misses with a double jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Denke lands with a kick to the temple. Balayan shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Denke looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Balayan lands a leg kick that knocks Denke off balance momentarily.
Balayan throws a quick inside leg kick.
Balayan connects with a leg kick. Denke looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Balayan throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Denke is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Balayan connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Balayan bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Balayan swings away with a body shot that misses
and Denke counters with a stiff right hand.
Balayan wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balayan throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Denke throws a sloppy head kick and Balayan moves out of range easily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Balayan looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Balayan connects with a looping right hand.
Good shot there by Balayan.
Denke staying out of range there.
Denke misses with a head kick.
A slow jab from Balayan misses its intended target.
Denke uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Balayan.
Denke throws a big counter combination but Balayan scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Denke takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balayan throws a big shot that misses.
As Balayan looks to move away, Denke throws a big counter combo but Balayan just gets out of the way.
Denke on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Denke slips under a jab from Balayan.
Denke appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Denke ducks under a wild hook from Balayan.
Denke takes one on the button.
Denke takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Balayan lands a jab to Denke's midsection.
Balayan jabs Denke to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Balayan throws a hook but Denke avoids it easily.
Balayan lands a nice looking kick to the body. Denke takes a step back to recover.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balayan lands the left hand.
Both fighters circling a little - Balayan finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Denke keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Balayan throws a shot to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Denke takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Balayan takes a swing at Denke's ribcage but misses.
Balayan throws a right hand that misses
and Denke counters with a head kick. That will keep Balayan thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Balayan throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A big right from Balayan misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Garegin Balayan dominated that fourth round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Balayan is looking to score with low kicks.
Denke checks the leg kick nicely there.
Balayan is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Denke takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Balayan misses with a low kick as Denke jumps back.
Denke thinks about countering with a head kick.
Balayan connects with a body shot.
Balayan scores with a body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Balayan looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Denke's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Balayan connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Denke scrambles back to his feet.
Denke swats away the attempt to clinch by Balayan.
Denke is looking for a counter combo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balayan pivots, looking for a leg kick but Denke is out of range and Balayan settles back down.
Denke swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Balayan thows a body kick. Denke tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Balayan takes a swing at Denke's ribcage but misses.
A lazy body kick from Balayan
enabling Denke to counter with a crisp jab.
Denke tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Balayan rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Denke counters with a nice body shot.
A big right from Balayan misses.
Denke appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Balayan looks to throw a body kick
and Denke counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Balayan misses with a wild body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Denke misses with a looping left.
Balayan throws a leg kick which misses Denke's front leg but catches the back leg as Denke tries to avoid it.
An inside leg kick lands from Balayan.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Balayan. Denke shrugs it off though.
Balayan connects with a looping right hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A lazy left from Balayan finds it's target.
Nice shot by Balayan.
Balayan looks to score with a jab to the body but Denke is just out of range.
Denke appears to be looking for a big counter.
Denke misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Denke keeps the fight on the outside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balayan looks to land a combination. Denke sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Balayan throws a head kick that half lands.
Balayan waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Denke.
Balayan throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Denke counters with an outside leg kick.
Denke takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Balayan walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Denke checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Balayan just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromDenke.
Balayan connects with a high kick.
Oh Denke is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Balayan tries to land a leg kick but Denke saw it coming and moves away.
Denke looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Denke seems to have got his legs back now.
Denke will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Denke misses with a kick to the body
and Balayan counters with a leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Denke slips a jab from Balayan.
Denke swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Balayan uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Sloppy strikes from Denke. Those never looked like landing.
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!
Denke takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Balayan just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromDenke.
Balayan wants to slow Denke down by chopping away at his legs.
Balayan connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Denke momentarily.
Denke keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
It looked like Denke was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Denke on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Balayan. Balayan obviously looking to wear him down.
Balayan goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Karl Denke has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Denke chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Balayan can pounce on him.

And that's the end of the fight!
Garegin Balayan comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Balayan 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 45:50
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 45:50
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Garegin Balayan!
Garegin Balayan is the new welterweight champion!
Our winner, Garegin Balayan, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.